$4.95 OCTOBER 198^9
EXPLORING THE POWER
OF
SINCLAIR COMPUTERS
THE CAMBRIDGE Z88
Portable Power
y
THE SINCLAIR QL
32 Bit Power House
THE SINCLAIR TIMEX TS-2068
Versatile Desk Topper
In this issue. . .
Automatic Printer- Control Utilities
The June 1990 Milwaukee Sinclair Fest
PLUS, a magazine full of Programs and utilities
UPDATE MAGAZINE
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w/ends and interface. Complete package!
READY TO PLUG AND BO!
ORDER RMG8PI03 $ 3 2 5 + $ 8 PH
Dual 3.5' Teac BOOK System-
includes 2 Teac FD135 DSQD drives, case
w/ps, cable & interface. HUGE CAPACITY!
ORDER RHG8PI19 $ H 2 5 ♦ $ 8 PH
Many mora packages available!
Just call or write with what you want.
Prices start at only *!??.?5 plus PH.
Individual components also available.
5.25" Drive System
Dual 5.25" 8 0 0 K System-
This system comes complete with the disk
interface, dual 5.25" DSQD drives, cable
and case with power supply. This gives
you a mass storage area of 1,^0,000
bytes of data and programming. We set up
and test EVERY drive set that we sell!
Alternate Interface s •
If you want expanded memory with your QL
disk system, we can supply TRUMP CARDS
starting as low as $250 C256K). Other
sizes available upon request*
WRITE FOR INFO OR CATALOG ($3 )
For_ ALL of your computer ^need^ CALL-
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Editorials and tanouncements
Update QL Editor
Update is please to announce that Bill Cable
is now the Sinclair QL EDITOR for Update Magazine.
As most subscribers know, Bill Cable is a foremost
QL Programmer and has contributed emensely to the
content of the magazine. Now Bill will be
contributing even more. Most importantly, we now
have someone who will maintain accuracy in the
articles and programs for the QL. Your scribe has
been uneasy about that, given his novice status
with the QL. Welcome Bill Cable, and thanks for
your dedication to the QL Users of North America.
TS-2Q68 and Z88 editing will continue to be
handled here on board the Update Yacht. Once in a
while we may be a couple of weeks late, as the
vessel gets laid up by hurricanes or the
doldrums. Another writer for the Z88 has come
aboard. Mike Fink (Domino Cubes) is a Z88 dealer
that has gotten rich selling Z88's and
periphreals. Now Mike will be doing a regular
column in Update keeping us abreast of the
happenings with this nice portable. If you miss
Syd Wyncoop in this issue, not to worry. Syd DID
send in an article but Update was already full for
October. He'll enjoy that one in the next issue.
One subscriber wrote saying that he skims
through Update for "just the articles about his
computer and its disk system". Hell heck! He is
missing out on the educational benefits AND the
possibility of actually using the programs given
for the "foreign computer". Most programs for the
QL, TS-2068 and Z88 can be kludged to work with
the other. BASIC is BASIC. QL Super Basic, BBC
Basic, and TS-2068 Basic are but variations of the
same language, kinda like my southern drawl and
Pete Hale's Bostonian twang. This issue has an
article by Earl Dunnington that illustrates the
point. Earl took our "LKDOS Tool by the Dozen"
and now presents the same tools for TOS DISK.
Another Update article in this issue "Printers and
Printer Control" is generic in application and can
be cloned in any computer's syntax and variation
of Basic.
Actually both the QL and Z88 need such a
printer control group utility to augument Quill
and Pipedream. So, Update trys to give as many
such programs and utilities to Public Domain as we
can for the use of all. The TS-2068 Disk Drive
users need not wait for a program that is specific
for their DOS. All TS-2068 programs are adaptable
to all DOS, with minor syntai changes.
Expanding Cooperation
Update has quietly dropped Commerical
Advertising in favor of a concept of Mutual
Cooperation. I looked back two years and found
that the income from advertising has been nil.
Then I got to thinking. Most Dealers are
operating as a Hobby, or at such low key that
cannot support much advertising. Programmers can
spend as much on advertising as they realize from
the sales that the ads bring in. Subscribers do
need to be exposed to SOURCE information. "Where
can I find a whatsit for my computer"? We ALL
need continuing support. So Update's diabolical
new scheme is to provide FREE advertising as a
cooperative public service. The way it is put to
the dealers and programmers is: "Think of
something that you can do in return for your free
ad".
Examples: Rod Gowen (RMG Enterprises)
includes an Update Flier in his catalog mail outs.
Ed Grey (Ed Grey Enterprises) posts a notice for
Update in his BBS. Peter Hale (EMSOFT) and Bill
Cable (Wood And Hind Computers) were the first to
join into the scheme. Mark Stuber (Sharps Inc.)
has been contacted to cooperate in similiar
fashion. Individual programmers may not have much
to offer in return, except their good will, which
is sufficient. The main idea is to provide the
most support possible in a cooperative effort.
Publication Situation
THE QUITS: Now that other publications have
pulled- the plug I get quite a lot of questions
about the future of Update Magazine. It is almost
as if folks are thinking "Update is next". Well,
all that I can say is that Update is committed for
another year of publishing- BUT. There is always
that qualifier, eh? The publishing of Update is a
hobby for me, and hobbies can become entanglements
that interfere with other life needs, such as
vacations, etc. AND, everyone is subject to the
burn outs. I will attempt to keep Update going
indefinitely by throwing out this gauntlet. If
YOU are dedicated to Sinclair User Support, and
have the ability to publish, then volenteer to
take over publishing Update at some time in the
future. That wont be like Ford taking over
General motors, with accompanying stock market
rumbles. It will be an easy acquisition and a
smooth resumption. Call me.
3.
Update Magazine
October
The Cambridge Z88
Whither goest?
I will try to make this a thoughtful and
honest appraisal of the Cambridge 88 Computer, and
how I see its future developing. First, to
compare the Z88 with other portable computers in
its price range, and we wont go into a lot of
figures to do that. The Z88 compares almost
equally to the Tandy Portable in both price and
capability. Both are "8 bit CPU" computers, which
means that they are capable of managing only 64K
of Memory at one time. This also means that -
neither computer is capable of being "Compatable
With the Operating system of IBM Computers which
is "PC Basic and MS-DOS". The operating system
for both the IBM and the Apple Macintosh are for
16 and 32 bit CPU operation. So we must first
explode this myth that seems to he developing.
The Z88 IS NOT IBM or MACINTOSH COMPATABLE. NONE
OF THE SOFTWARE FOR IBM or MACINTOSH COMPUTERS
WILL WORK WITH THE Z88 or the TANDY PORTABLE.
Speaking of CAPABILITY, and comparing
Capability with other computers, the Z88 compares
with the TS-2068, the Sinclair Spectrum, the
Commodore 128, and other 8 bit computer
systems. All comparisons with those computers
will result in the Z88 showing superiority in all
areas except Screen Dislay and Interface to
outside devices. The latter is a serious handicap
with the Z88, but there has been a recently
developed Portable Disk drive which mitigates that
problem. The screen display is a problem yet to
be resolved with both the Z88 and its counterpart,
the Tandy Portable.
Now lets turn to the COST factor. Just how
much the III can be purchased tor depends upon the
deal that you can get from your dealer. My Z88,
equipped with a 128R RAM cartridge, a 32K EPROM
Cartridge, the PC LINK Eprom, and carrying case,
cost around $700. A Commodore C-128, equipped
with a disk drive and Monitor will cost slightly
higher. I had a C-128 once and didn't like it at
all. The Z88 has much more capability for
managing extra Memory and has more overall
computing capability. But the C-128 has the
advantage of better display and a well established
library of commercial software.
But we have been discussing and comparing a
"desk top computer with a portable". Should we?
Is there a difference in the Computing needs that
one has if one needs a Portable? I think not.
The Computer industry tends to agree. Portables
are now being offered that are IBM MS-DOS
compatable. So lets look at one line of
portables. A current Computer Shopper ad shows a
Toshiba T-1000 that can be a comparison. This one
is an IBM Compatable that runs MS-DOS programs.
Its fold-up LED display is larger than the Z88's
display, and it has a built-in 720K Disk drive.
The Toshiba 1000 also has 512K of RAM installed.
The advertised price is $649.95. I wont comment
upon how good or bad the Toshiba 1000 may or may
not be. It is Tosyiba's "low end" portable.
Toshiba's other portables run up to $5000 in
price. There are other portables that are IBM
compatables whose price range could form a basis
for comparison with the Z88.
Enough Comparing! Lets see what the Z88's
real attributes are. And, I might say that
Cambridge North America is not pushing the real
attributes of the Z88. Instead they seem to be
hyping the ability to transfer ASCII Files back
and forth between the Z88 and IBM computers. That
Isn't "IBM COMPATABILITY". It is instead a
"Software Innovation", that is commonly done every
day with Telecom (Modem) software. The real
attributes of the Z88 is in its operating system
that can easily address up to One Megabyte of
Extra Memory. This capability, which is
un-matched by any existing 8 bit computer, has not
been emphasised in the marketing efforts by
Cambridge North America. They seem to be un-aware
of the main attributes of the Z88 and are chasing
a rainbow in the "IBM Compatability" forest.
Let us visualize that we all have IBM
computers. You might be a travelling salesman and
need a Portable Computer. Would you spend $6-800
to buy a Z88, knowing that it cannot run the
library ot software that you have tor your 1BH?
Well, maybe the ability to transfer data files
between the two computers might be worth the
price? But no, you can get that .low end Toshiba
for about the same price, eh? And it can run your
IBM software.
The Z88's competitive position seems to be
right there with the "low end" computers like the
Commodore 128 and Spectrum. But to be competitive
there the Z88 needs better support by Sinclair
Research and Cambridge North America. Needed are:
Interfaces to Disk Drive, Interfaces to a desk top
Monitor, and Software. While the two built-in
softwares "Pipedream and Diary" are excellent,
they hardly suffice as a complete computer system
library. Such support would turn the Z88 from its
Octob*" 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October labtf
single purpose as a portable to both a portable
and a desk top system, and could blow Commodore
out of the low end computer market.
So, to evaluate the future of the Z88 in the
North American market, we must speculate about the
INTENT of Sinclair Research and their American
representative, Cambridge North America.
Update Magazine began seeking cooperation
from Cambridge North America before Christmas of
1988. A number of letters since have requested
regular news releases of technical information,
programming information, and general user support
information. Copies of Update magazine have been
sent to them. As of this time Cambridge North
America has not cooperated at all. Though a small
publication, Update Magazine is the only
publication in North America that is willing to
provide on-going Z88 User Support. This could
help Cambridge North America in their marketing
efforts by the building up of a data base about
the Z88 and creating interest in the Z88.
Satisfied and enthusiastic users become the best
advertising, and money cannot buy that.
That Cambridge North America would completely
spurn and ignore our efforts, which would
certainly be of benefit to them, is both enigmatic
and ignominious. The only conclusion that can be
drawn is that there is no interest on their part
in USER SUPPORT, nor in building a reliable
reputation in the North American market place. If
Cambridge North America begins to show more
interest in user support we will certainly credit
them with a change in attitude and will welcome
their participation. There is really no reason
why they shouldn't. What is the cost of a few
pieces of paper mailed out periodically to a
magazine? If this article makes you a bit miffed,
write them a letter and invite them to help us to
help them.
Z88 Operating Tips
In August, my Son Greg took a liking to my
Z88. Greg is in his final semester and will
graduate this fall with degrees in, Finance and
Business Management (Florida State University).
Anybody out there need a good man? Now Greg
already had the IBM AT computer that I've been
knocking for the past couple of years. The IBM is
set up in our Motor Home near the college, which
is 100 miles East. Maybe Til get the MH back in
time to go to the Milwaukee Computer Fest? So, I
made a deal with fl Son. He can keep the Z88 for
the semester if he'll contribute some "HOW TO"
articles for Update Magazine. To start him off
right I assembled a manual of sorts gleaned from
EPROM, the defunct "News Notes", and from Mike
Fink (Domino Cubes). The assemblage made a good
addition to the Z88 manual which comes up short is
some respects.
Greg suprised me the second day. He had
worked up a resume with the Z88 and was ready to
print it. He came in and used the Update Daisy
Wheel printer to print the resume. The print-out
was formatted well and looked nice. Not bad for
two days usage of a new computer, eh? Then he
left for college the next day. His article
follows.
WORD PERFECT POWER WITH THE Z88
By: Greg Jones
Sounded too good to be true, so I followed the
directions given by Bob Curry, and those given in
the Manual for "PC LINK". It works like a charm!
I was able to begin a document at home with the
288, then when I returned to Tallahasse, the
document was fed into my IBM with PC LINK, and the
finishing touches was done with the IBM software
WP-50. The power of Word Perfect's thesarus, spell
checker, and formatting, became available with the
IBM. Freedom of movement is available with the
Z88. The combination of Portability and the extra
power of Word Perfect is hard to beat. Then there
is the unlimited file storage of the IBM's hard
disk to add to the flexibility. Following is a
step by step guide for how to transfer files back
and forth between the Z88 and the IBM.
1. Create your text with the Z88. It is best to
start with something short.
2. SAVE your file to the Z88 Ram Memory, using Menu
*3, then arrow to SAVE and NAME your Text.
3. Now you are ready to connect up the two
computers .
a. Key INDEX on the Z88
b. Insert PC LINK EPROM. Close Cartridge door.
Connect Z88 and PC with cable.
c. Arrow Down to LINK
4. Get into your PC-LINK directory with your hard
Drive (The PC LINK Floppy disk was saved to
the hard drive previously.) Type PCLINK. lou
will then be prompted to run your Link Program
with the Z88. Key the Link program in the
Index Directory of the Z88. This assumes that
you have already installed PC-LINK as is
October 1989
5
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
oclober lliiil)
directed by page 2-4 of the Link Guide.
5. Hit RETURN on your PC Computer.
6. Screen II found on page 10 of the guide will
appear.
7. QUIT Z88 Devices Z88 Dirs Z88 Files
8. HELP PC Devices PC Dirs PC Files
I am using a 128K Ram Cartridge in slot 11, so I
change my default devices to RAH .01. The Z88 Dirs
is simply your default directory, which in my case
is Ram .01. The PC Devices in my case is my hard
drive and my PC dirs is my PC-LINK Directory. As I
want to send this file to my PC Computer, I select
Z88 Files at the first menu.
Then I am prompted "Send to PC" Key RETURN.
Program shows me: C:\pclink\filename Key RETURN.
Then there is a little graphics display that shows
that your file is actually transferring to the PC.
Once finished you get out of the PC-LINK Program.
9. Now you transfer the new file to WordStar
Format. On your PC, type PTH. This is the
converter program. You will be prompted to name
the file type and the file name, with extension.
Then further prompt for "Name want to convert to?".
Call it something slightly different and hit
RETURN. Now transfer into your Word Perfect
program.
10. a. Key Shift + F10, then give path name, plus
the file name. In my case this is: C:\PCLINK\file
name, and hit RETURN.
b. Shift + F8; 1 : 7 ; then change both
margins to .5 and key RETURN until you get back to
text, then hit page down and the document that
your started in the Z88 PipeDream will be ready to
finish using your Word Perfect Program.
The procedure to get back to PipeDream is not so
1. SAVE as DOS Text by using Control + F5.
2. Get out of Word Perfect and back to your PC-Link
Directory. Make sure that the two computers are
hooked up correctly. Thentype PCL1NK. The program
will prompt you to make sure that your Link program
is running.
3. Make sure that your Z88 Devices are still
correct. (Mine went back to RAM 0, and I wanted
RAM .01.)
4. Select PC-Files. Highlight the file wanted.
You will be prompted to send to the Z88, and once
you hit RETURN the graphics display will show that
the file is transferring.
5. Go to the Menu Files Option and load the newly
sent file. In my case the file loads but I can
only see the first fifth of a sentence. I used the
star + W option and set column to 72, and then I
could see the entire document. There may be a
better way but this works for me.
So far I have. not found a way to get a spread sheet
to transfer. I am using TWIN, which is advertised
as being 100% compatable with LOTUS. When I try to
use LOTUS to Pipe Dream, it kicks back "NOT a Valid
Lotus Program". If anyone has an answer to this, I
would welcome the information. Greg Jones.
October 19E^
bp<5at«5 Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
QL+MSDOS
Oick F- Wagner
The ability to access the many MSDOS programs is enticing. A
look thru catalogs of 3 West Coast dealers in MSDOS Shareware
programs certainly proves the point of the availability of a
vast range of programs at very reasonable prices. In quantities
of less than 10 disks the prices run about *3.25-»4.00. Some
large programs require 2-3 disks. Remember, Shareware involves
additional payment in some cases if the program is satisfactory,
but not an excessive surcharge (the original payment is to the
company, none goes to the programmer).
The catalogs provide good descriptions and sometimes indicate
the additional amount of memory required for an IBM PC type
computer.
Having this information, is an IBM PC MSDOS type program
practical in an emulator form? Once the cost of additional
memory, disk driver hardware, a printer interface, and some kind
of a "tool kit" program is written off, then the investment is
for a program to emulate MSDOS, plus MSDOS itself if it is not
in your mix of programs. The cost seems high if MSDOS must be
purchased. The "chocalate" version includes version 4.0 and a
set of manuals, along with the basic emulator, "SOLUTION" and
its manual. The "vanilla" version is the emulator and manual
only.
It should be noted that the emulator manual makes no effort to
discuss MSDOS programming, except enough to get the MSDOS
program loaded. The user must get manuals, books, school
classes, etc. to actually use MSDOS. Provision is made in
"SOLUTION" to use the dedicated F1-F10 common to MSDOS by
providing other key stroke combinations.
The user must have additional memory for the QL as the first
added bank of 256K will Just get by with MSDOS plus a single
disk program if not too long. When considering longer programs
like spreadsheets and wordprocessors, a second bank of 256K will
be needed unless working with really elaborate programs in which
case, a fully populated board with 768K would be required.
An MSDOS emulator program makes the mother computer (QL for
instance) think it is an IBM PC type computer J It takes two
programs to accomplish this emulation. The first, called
"SOLUTION" by Digital Precision, is loaded into the computer
memory. It does all of the converting from the IBM PC CPU type
commands to the QL CPU Super basic type commands. The second
program is MSDOS itself. It is kind of like running 2 programs
in series back and forth.
Because of the reduced speed of an emulator (about 1/10 of a PC)
I am using an accelerator called "LIGHTNING" which almost gives
normal PC speed. My procedure for getting MSDOS into operation
is to load "LIGHTNING", then the tool kit (TK2) is initialized,
next "SOLUTION" is loaded, and finally MSDOS.
There seem to be several emulators on the English market.
Digital Precision has had experience with a CP/M emulator, plus
Z
October 1989 Update Magazine
one for the Atari computers. Reviews in English magazines seem
to show a preferance for the DP system as being the most
complete and reliable. Sources in the US include RMG
Enterprises, 1419 1/2 7th St. Oregon Cityr OR 97045, and
SHARP'S Inc. Box 326, Mechanicsvi 1 le, VA 23111.
So far my biggest objection to the operation of "SOLUTION" is
the need, when in MSDOS, to start all over again with a computer
reset when a MSDOS type program hangs up. .Maybe that will be
reduced with experience with the system and maybe there is
something in the "SOLUTION" manual or in the MSDOS manual that
gives a clue for solving this. As usual, there is an extended
learning process required when switching computer operating
systems.
QL TO Z88 LINKUP
Bill Woodward
The QZ comes with all Instructions on a mdv cartridge and a 10 foot
connecting cable. The cable has two different style end D rings, so only one
style can fit in the Z88's D ring. The larger one goes in the QL's serial
port. The instructions (contained in README2_doc) say Ser2, but my cable
package had Serl printed on it. First BUG: the QZ would not transfer with
the plugin in either port. I found the answer in P Panel (change defaults
etc) on the MENU. I change the default SBR2 to SBR1 and the QZ performed its
act well. When I have a problem I go to the instructions first and to the P
Panel for the default devices. All of my problems have resulted from my one
tract mind.
The program can be backed-up to either MDV or FLP. Unless you know how to
combine the RBSPR's of the programs QZ cannot be multitasked with another
program. Before you run the program hard copy the instructions by loading
RBADME2 into Quill and printing. Then you can run the program turn on or
reset. The instructions and on screen MENU OPTIONS are easily understood.
Even I was able to transfer a file from Z88 to QL disks after a small
difficulty.
The MENU OPTIONS are:
S Send a file from QL to Z88
R Read a file from 268 to QL
B Batch receive files from the Z88
D Directory of a device
E Send endbatch code
F Rename a file
K Kill a file
V View a file
P Panel (change default etc)
Q Quit to basic
T Translate carriage returns
Transferring a Quill document to Plpedream
Transferring a Plpedream document to Quill
The transferring of a Plpedream document to Quill will let you use the Z88
portable and when you return to your home base you can transfer the document
to Quill and continue to work on It on the large screen of your monitor.
If you are using a serial printer, the QL serial cord will not work, but the
Z88 printer cord will let you plug into the serial printer and print out
with out going through Quill.
Update Mmm'Aim
Update Magazine
October 1989
Printing and Formating
Commanding the Printer
This is one of many selected Daisy. B6 program
routines that will be excerpted and given to
Public Domain. These routines will be selected
for their generic value. This one provides
PRINTER CONTROL. The need was perceived to
Command the printer to CHANGE PRINT STYLES to do a
LARGE CENTERED CAPTION, then to RESET to the
original style. But it does more that that.
We enter the routines with some established
Variables. PS=l=Pica Style. PS=2=Elite Style.
PS=3=Micron Style. These are sometimes referred
to a Pitch. LX=Max Printer Line for the PS style.
QQ-computed Center of Page. TB=established TAB.
The Printer Control codes (commands) used are for
EPSON Compatable Printers. There are three
Sub-routines. <G0 SUB 2095> prints a CENTERED
CAPTION. <G0SUB 2416 Changes the printer to ELITE
DOUBLE HEIGHT CHARACTERS and prints a BILLBOARD as
seen in the caption above this column. This
routine also uses the next one. <G0 SUB 2420>
SETS a Print Style. Example: If you first type
<LET PS=1> then GOSUB 2420, then the Printer is
SET to PICA STYLE. The subroutine first CANCELLS
Double Hi characters.
These routines, while in TS-2068 Basic, can
easily be cloned for the Sinclair QL and the Z88.
In fact, Quill and Pipedream both need such
automatic printer control utilities.
<G0 SUB 2416> does the following by line
number: 2416 sets aside the page center var "QQ" :
sets aside the control var "GG": RESETS Var QQ for
Page Center for ELITE style: SETS PRINTER to
ELITE, then to DOUBLE HI: Prints the caption (M$)
by GO SUB 2095: RESETS var QQ and GG. It is to be
noted that while the printer's style was changed,
the style variable "PS" has not been changed.
Therefore as the program moves on to line 2420 the
PS= variable still represents the style of print
that was in effect.
Line 2020 begins a dual purpose routine.
First to reset the original print style after the
2416 routine has been used. OR, <GO SUB 2420 will
set any print style represented by "PS= 1 through
3". Explanation: Line 2020 first CANCELLS DOUBLE
HI. Then if printing in the COLUMN PRINT MODE, cp
is greater than 1, so Micron Print style is set to
PS=3.
Print and Format Utilities
2095 LPRINT TAB qq-LEN m$/2;m$: LET nn=nn+l
2096 IF gg=l THEN RETURN
2097 GO TO fm
2413 IF IN. 127=253 THEN GO TO 2413
2414 RETURN
2416 LET a=2413: LET ga=gg: LET gg=l: LET qz=qq:
LET qq=(qq*96/120 AND ps=3)+(qg*96/80 AND ps=l)
+(qq AND ps=2): GO SUB a: OUT 127,27: GO SUB a:
OUT 127,120: GO SUB a: OUT 127,1: GO SUB a: OUT
127,27: GO SUB a: OUT 127,77: GO SUB a: OUT 127,
27: GO SUB a: OUT 127,119: GO SUB a: OUT 127,1:
GO SUB 2095: LET qq=qz: LET gg=ga
2420 LET a=2413: GO SUB a: OUT 127,27: GO SUB a:
OUT 127,119: GO SUB a: OUT 127,0: IF cp>0 THEN
LET ps=3
2422 IF ps=l THEN GO SUB a: OUT 127,27: GO SUB
a: OUT 127,80
2424 IF ps=3 THEN GO SUB a: OUT 127,27: GO SUB
a: OUT 127,103
2425 IF ps=2 THEN GO SUB a: OUT 127,27: GO SUB
a: OUT 127,77
2426 GO SUB a: OUT 127,27: GO SUB a: OUT 127,120
: GO SUB a: OUT 127,2: IF cp<l THEN LET 11=(INT
(80*lI/lx+.5) AND ps=l)+(INT (96*ll/lx+.5) AND
ps=2)+(INT (120*ll/lx+.5) AND ps=3)
2427 LET lx=(80 AND ps=l)+(96 AND ps=2)+(120 AND
PS=3)
2428 IF cp<l THEN LET tb=INT ((lx-ll)/2+.5) : LE
T qq=INT (lx/2+,5)
2430 IF cp>0 THEN LET tb=(8 AND cp<2)+(62 AND c
P>1): LET qq=(34 AND cp<2)+(87 AND cp>l): LET 11
=50
2434 RETURN
2436 REM ** For the QL, the Basic Interpreter
doesn't accept some of the BOOLEAN Logic expres-
ions that are in the above lines and the lines
will have to be broken down into QL IF THEN
LOGIC. "BOOLEAN LOGIC FOR QL PROGRAMMING" would
make an interesting Article- Any Volenteers?
Lines 2422 thru 2425 SETS a print style,
PS=l=Pica, PS=2=ELITE, PS=3=Micron (pitch). Line
12427 SETS Letter Quality Mode, then Computes a
Line Length (LL) that Matches the length of line
that was previously in use with the previous print
style. Then the Maximum Printer line (LX) is
assigned for the current PS=print style. LINE
October 1989
9
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
12428 assigns a new TAB (TB) that will result in
the new style's print margins being aligned with
the previously printed lines. At this point if
Column printing is NOT in effect, the job is done.
Line 2430 works if Column Printing is in
effect (CP is Greater than Zero). First Left tab
is set for either Left column (CP=1) or Right
Column (CP=2). Then Column Center (QQ) is set for
either Left or Right Column. Then the Line Length
is set to 50.
USAGE: <LET M$=HA Caption"> <GO SUB 2095>
Prints a Centered Caption. <GO SUB 2416> Changes
to ELITE DOUBLE HI, and then prints a Billboard
Caption. <LET PS=1 thru 3> <GO SUB 2420> Changes,
the printer setting to the Style of "PS=M,
computes MATCHING Line for the new style of print.
Line "BU" is line 2413 which checks the
printers status. If the printer is BUSY then <IM
127=253> and the program continues to LOOP Line
2413 until the status changes to READY.
1989 SINCLAIR COMPUTER JEST
This utility
Update Magazine.
is donated to Public Domain by
'jo**-
L+Tf> /
He are sponsoring the 1990 Sinclair Fest in
Milwaukee. The Date will be June 1 through 3,
1990. That is Friday through Sunday and is the
first week end in June. Motels will charge a flat
rate of $45 per room, no matter how many will
occupy the room. Rooms will have two double beds.
Roll away beds extra charge. Motel has a nice
indoor pool and the food is excellent.
A banquet is featured at 6:30 on Friday
night. He are planning to have a variety of
displays including Packet Radio. Seminars are
wide open and you are invited to head-up one.
Vendors are invited to participate. Tables are
available. Set aside the first week end of June
for an enjoyable Sinclair Fest. The cost is
right! Contact: Bill Heberling (414-527-2191).
Or Hrite: SMUG BYTES, 5052 N. 91st St., Milwaukee,
HI 53225.
Ed Notes : Two more issues of Update between
now and then will bring more from SMUG about 'the
Fest. For those New Englanders, Hesterners, and
Southerners, Milwaukee is a nice spot to vacation
in June. Lotsa unusual attractions, such as the
Experimental Aircraft Asso. Museum, plus others
for the family. A good place to visit, with down
to earth prices!! fCAflflpMu l\c<.tpt-ti t\T PA*V?
The TI Group in the Boston Computer Society is planning an Orphan
Computer Fair in April /May 1980. Although it's in its early stages,
we are very excited. The TI Group has had past shows that have been
profitable, so there is a track record of successful organization.
For the record, we in the Sinclair Group do not see it as competing
with the SMUG efforts since it will largely be for New Englanders.
However, we like the concept. With each passing year the number of
persons interested in a Sinclair-only show, will necessarily be
fewer. The more bodies who come into a show, the greater the
potential to draw vendors with a range of stuff, particularly those
in the generic product, liquidation and remainder business, who
would not see a one-product show as justifying the time and expense.
There, is also the reality that the more people who come, the greater
the sense of camaraderie that can lead to a longer life for support
of such computers.
1 hope that SMUG will consider broadening their concept to include
other orphan groups from the Milwaukee area.
10
October 5 989
Updwle Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
QL NUMBERS INTO TEXT
Peter Hale, P.O. Box 8763, Boston, MA 02114
Computers should save time and effort. This
program for the QL does both.
It's purpose is to convert a number (entered
as numerals) into an equivalent word string.
E.G. input 111.11 and the program returns
ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN AND 11/100.
The program handles numbers up to 999999.99
and converts them to the equivalent words.
Originally, the program was part of a check
writing routine in ARCHIVE. Here, it is
converted to SuperBASIC, while retaining the
Archive syntax wherever possible.
Enter the listing. Start by entering the
procedure sav at line 1400. As you enter
the listing, occassionally save the work-in-
progress by typing sav <ENTER> from the
keyboard.
Run the program by lrun flp2_number <ENTER>
or, if the program is in memory, type either
run, start or askjao, followed by <ENTER>.
Although there is limited application beyond
check/receipt writing for this program, it
is interesting to show the differences and
similarities between SuperBASIC and ARCHIVE.
When entering the program in the edit mode
of ARCHIVE, ignore lines 10 and 20. Enter
each procedure (ignoring line numbers).
There are two other differences. Where the
program has a line with a REMark in it, this
is the ARCHIVE syntax to replace the Super-
BASIC line immediately below it.
The other difference is universal. Wherever
SuperBASIC uses the ampersand (&), ARCHIVE
requires the plus sign (+).
To run the ARCHIVE version type run <ENTER>,
then number <EKTER>. This auto-starts the
program by searching out the procedure
called start.
The SuperBASIC program version is 'over-
written' to preserve the ARCHIVE syntax that
"will also operate in SuperBASIC.
For example, procedures no_l (line 400),
no_2 (line 600) and noja "(line 800) could
use SuperBASIC 's coercion by changing all
occurance of nu$ to nu and removing the
quotes from the numerals. Also, one line IF
statements need not end with : END IF nor is
it necessary to use the Keyword LET in
SuperBASIC.
The program points up a weakness of coercion
and SuperBASIC's handling of floating point
numbers in the procedure ask_no at line 100.
In Archive, the statement after the REMark
in line 120 quickly converts numerals to
text strings with an accuracy of up to
sixteen (16) places.
SuperBASIC gets tangled coercing numbers of
more than eight (8) significant places (the
decimal point counts as a place). Thus,
100000.01 would not be accurate without the
slicing and concatenation in line 130.
THE LISTING:
10 ask_.no: REMark not for ARCHIVE version
20 :
100 DEFine PROCedure ask_.no
110 INPUT "Enter number as digits ";n
120 REMark let nn$=str(n,0,2)
130 nl$=INT(n) :n2$=INT( ( (n-INT(n) )+5E-3)
*100):nn$=nl$&".H&n2$
140 convert :ask_no
160 :
170 DEFine PROCedure convert
180 REMark let dp=instr(nn$,".H) : let nn=l
190 dp=V INSTR nn$:nn=l
200 IF dp=2:no_l: END IF
210 IF dp=3:no_2: END IF
220 IF dp=4:no_3: END IF
230 IF dp=5:no_4: END IF
240 IF dp=6:no_5: END IF
250 IF dp=7:no_6: END IF
260 LET txt$=" "&txt$&"AND "&
nn$(dp+l TO dp+2)&7l00"
270 IF LEN(txt$)<55
280 REMark let txt$=rept("*",54-
len(txt$))+txt$
290 txt$=FILL$("*",54-LEN(txt$))&txt$
300 END IF
310 PRINT txt$
320 END DEFine convert
330 :
October 1989
11
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
400 DEFine PROCedure no_l
410 LET nu$=nn$(nn) : LET nol$=""
420 IP nu$="0M AND dp=2: LET nol$="ZERO '
430
440
450
460
470
480
490
500
510
520
END IF
IF nu$='T':
IF nu$=H2":
IF nu$="3":
IF nu$="4":
LET nol$="ONE ": END IF
LET nol$=HTWO " > END IF
LET nol$="THREE ": END IF
LET nol$="FOUR ": END IF
IF nu$="5": LET nol$="FIVE ": END IF
IF nu$="6": LET nol$="SIX ": END IF
IF nu$=H7M: LET nol$="SEVEN ": END IF
IF nu$="8": LET nol$="EIGHT ": END IF
IF nu$="9M: LET nol$="NINE ": END IF
LET txt$=nol$
530 END DEFine no 1
540 :
600 DEFine PROCedure no_2
610 LET nu$=nn$(nn): LET no2$="H
IF nu$="r':no_2a: RETurn : END IF
IF nu$="2H: LET no2$="TWENTY": END IF
IF nu$="3": LET no2$="THIRTY": END IF
IF nu$="4": LET no2$="FORTY": END IF
IF nu$="5M: LET no2$=MFIFTYM: END IF
IF nu$="6": LET no2$="SIXTYH: END IF
IF nu$="7": LET no2$=HSEVENTY": END IF
IF nu$="8": LET no2$="EIGHTY": END IF
IF nu$=w9": LET no2$="NINETYM: END IF
LET nn=nn+l:no_l
IF nu$oM0M AND nn$(nn-l)<>"0"
LET no2$=no2$&"-M
ELSE : LET no2$=no2$&" ": END IF
LET no2$=no2$&nol$: LET txt$=no2$
760 END DEFine no 2
770 :
800 DEFine PROCedure no_2a
810 LET nn=nn+l: LET nu$=nn$(nn)
IF nu$="0":LET no2$="TEN " : END IF
IF nu$='T':LET no2$="ELEVEN " : END IF
IF nu$="2":LET no2$=HTWELVE ":END IF
IF nu$="3":LET no2$="THIRTEEN ":END IF
IF nu$="4":LET no2$="FOURTEEN " : END IF
IF au$=H5"';LET no2$="FlFTEEN ":ENQ IF
IF nu$=V:LET no2$="SIXTEEN " : END IF
IF nu$="7M:LET no2$="SEVENTEEN " : END IF
IF nu$="8":LET no2$="EIGHTEEN " : END IF
IF nu$="9":LET no2$="NINETEEN " : END IF
LET txt$=no2$
930 END DEFine no 2a
940 :
1000 DEFine PROCedure no_3
1010 LET nu$=nn$(nn): LET no3$="M:no_l
IF nol$o"H: LET no3$=nol$& "HUNDRED "
ELSE : LET no3$=HH: END IF
LET nn=nn+l:no_2
LET no3$=no3$&no2$: LET txt$=no3$
620
630
640
650
660
670
680
690
700
710
720
730
740
750
820
830
840
850
860
870
880
890
900
910
920
1020
1030
1040
1050
1060 END DEFine noj
1070 :
1100 DEFine PROCedure no_4
1110 LET nu$=nn$(nn):no_l
1120 LET no4$=nol$&MTHOUSAND "
1130 LET nn=nn+l:no_3
1140 LET no4$=no4$&no3$: LET txt$=no4$
1150 END DEFine no 4
1160 :
1200 DEFine. PROCedure no_5
1210 LET nu$=nn$(nn):no_2
1220 LET no5$=no2$&"THOUSAND "
1230 LET nn=nn+l:noJ
1240 LET no5$=no5$&no3$: LET txt$=no5$
1250 END DEFine no 5
1260 :
1300 DEFine PROCedure noj
1310 LET nu$=nn$(nn):no_3
1320 LET no6$=txt$&"THOUSAND "
1330 LET nn=nn+l:no_3
1340 LET no6$=no6$&no3$: LET txt$=no6$
1350 END DEFine no 6
1360 :
1400 DEFine PROCedure sav
1410 REMark save "f lp2_number"
1420 DELETE "f lp2_numberM:
SAVE Hflp2_numberH
1430 END DEFine sav
1440 :
1450 DEFine PROCedure start
1460 ask no
1470 END DEFine start
Note: This article is prepared on a 24 pin
Panasonic KX-1124 printer in letter quality
Courier font, micron (15 char/inch) pitch.
It requires only minor adjustments to Epson
control codes through the install Jas
program to access the vast majority of the
features of this printer under Quill.
SERIOUS BUSINESS! I've been in a quandry for
a year about TO or NOT To buy a Hard Drive for my
QL. Al Feng's article on Networking turned the
trick! I'm gonna. Here is my rationale. My QL's
are operating SUPER STABLE, and I do believe that
I have more computing power than does one have
with an IBM AT, except for the hard drive. The
Brit Pound conversion is about 1.55, which means
that a Hard Drive at 355 pounds comes to about
'$550.00 (US). Last year I paid $650.00 for a 40
mgbt hard drive for my Son's IBM, and then had to
buy a $175.00 controller for it. The price for
the QL Hard Drive is right! Now picture this:
Two QL's networking, one with 2 floppies and the
October 1M{4
12
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
PRINTERS and PRINTER CONTROL
The genesis of this work-up goes back to my
early work with the Sinclair ZX-81, a computer
designed "not to print". Soon after the Z-81
reached the "million mark", Cottage industry
developed Machine Code "Printer Drivers". From
then until today, our Sinclair Computer fans have
not had a minimum diet of "How To Control
Printers". That is, other than via using a
copyrighted software and following the manual
instructions.
CONCEPTS: 1. Printer Driver Software: These
Machine Code utilities provide the Software LINK
between the Computer, the Centronics Parallel
Interface, and the Printer. The "prcode" program
usually resides in RAM, but some prcodes are put
into EPROM. The code programs work marvelously to
send BURSTS of data from the computer to the
printer. Such bursts of data are not FORMATTED.
Thus, a separate software is needed to control the
data bursts so that Afaganistan, is printed in its
entirety on the same line of print. Also, and
this is the thrust of this article, the USER NEEDS
PRINTER CONTROL. User control is needed so that
there is a way to make the printer change its
STILE of PRINT and other PRINTER MODES, via
software or direct COMMANDS.
ADDITIONAL CONCEPTS: Some Computers, such as
the Unexpanded QL and the TS-2068, have little
spare FREE MEMORY to store elaborate ancillary
programs such as Printer Control utilities. Thus
any such utility should be as brief as is
practical to do the jobs needed. What are the JOB
TASKS that most users need for controlling a
printer "that the prcode does not accomplish"?
Lets list them: 1. Menu Control for Automatic
printer MODE Changes. 2. Line Length Control. 3.
Page Length Control. 4. Margins Control. 5.
Center Print of Headers Footers. Each of these
have branch needs.
I didn't list this one because it is so
broad. There are many different kinds of
printers. A control program "for just one
printer" would have very limited application. He
really need a "universal printer control system"
that can be used for Dot Matrix printers, Daisy
Wheel Printers, and all makes of- both. Now that
is a tall order, isn't it? AND is is make even
taller when one attempts to develop a Control
System that works with both the Sinclair QL and
the TS-2068. The task must be approached with the
knowledge that some "user adjustments" will always
be required for different computers and different
printers, and different Centronics Interfaces. If
the needs for user adjustments are well defined,
then such a universal program will be useful to
many.
PRINTER CONSIDERATIONS
THE NEW 24 PIN PRINTERS: Recently one of
Update 's printers, a Star Micronics 1000 dot
matrix, reached its 365th day of warranty, and
promptly expired. * The Print Head quit printing
half of the characters, which made English look
like gobelexe, a dialect of the Australian
aborigines. To get it fixed would have required
about $85 skins, which did not seem to be cost
effective, what with the "out of the door, out of
warranty" situation with repairs. So I opted for
a new Panasonic KXP-1124 printer. This is a 24
pin printer, whereas the old Star was a 8 pin
printer. Why mention that? Well I have read
where there is much confusion as to whether our
computers (QL and TS-2068) will even work with a
24 Pin Printer. Lets put that to rest imediately.
THEY WILL, and with GUSTO! AND without any
kludge-up at all. If your 8 pin Dot Matrix prints
something via "LPRINT", it will do the same, but
with three times better print quality than with an
8 pin printer. "3 times better" because the 24
pin printer prints three times as many dots for a
character printed. DRAFT quality with the 24 pin
printer is better than NLQ quality with most 8 or
9 pin printers. For proof of that, this column is
printed with the new 24 pin printer (in Draft
Mode).
DAISY WHEEL PRINTERS: The main difference in
these and Dot Matrix is the Daisy Wheel has a
"print wheel" that has "whole formed characters".
A solenoid Whacks the reed that has the "die of
the character", and a perfect character prints to
paper. The other main difference is that a Daisy
Wheel printer is SLOW, about 17 characters per
second speed. Daisy Wheel printers are easier to
control than dot matrix printers. This is because
there are only a few different modes of printing,
and my new Panasonic has more than 5000 different
possible set ups. Of course, that many set-ups
are impossible to program in an automatic Menu
Controlled program. So we must select a dozen or
so "preferred modes" and use the printer's front
panel switches to control the unusual modes.
October 1989
13
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
Universal Variable Pile, Hvarset.B6"
Donated to Public Domain bj Update Magazine
9902 CLEAR : LET a=0: LET b=0: LET c=0: LET xx=0: LET
al=0: LET u$="M: LET w$="": LET m$=HM: LET sp=2Q76::
FOR r=l TO 1: NEXT r: LET pe=5898: LET 11=64: LET tb
=8: LET pp=0: LET sd=0: LET nn=0: LET ln=58: LET oa=l
: FOR n=l TO 1: NEXT n: LET jy=Q: DIM h$(l,l): DIM i$
(1,1): LET id=Q: LET a4=Q: FOR y=l TO 1: NEXT y: LET
turbo=0: LET a3=0: LET red=0: LET ml=10Q: DIM v$(l,l)
: LET x=0: LET nt=0: LET nz=0: LET zl=0: LET z2=0: LE
T mm=0: LET 1x=80: LET 1=0: LET dl=0: LET d2=0: LET a
lt=Q: LET pa=2: LET oo=0: LET ob=2: LET oc=3: LET od=
4: LET oe=5: LET of=6: LET og=7: LET oh=8: LET oi=9:
LET oj=10: LET ok=ll: LET ol=12: LET om=13: LET on=14
9940 DIM o$(l,l): LET op=15: LET oq=16: LET or=17: LE
T os=18: LET ot=19: LET ou=20: LET ov=21: LET ow=22:
LET ox=23: LET oy=24: LET oz=25: LET zo=27: LET po=12
7: LET tel=3742: LET pc=0: LET az=0: LET no=0: LET cx
=0: LET cx=0: LET eq=0: LET ep=0: LET ik=2554: LET il
=2550: LET kl=100Q: LET k2=2Q00: LET k3=3000: LET k4=
4000: LET k5=5000: LET k6=6000: LET k7=7000: LET k8=8
000: LET k9=9000: LET m2=200: LET m3=300: LET m4=400:
LET m5=500: LET m6=600: LET m7=700: LET m8=80Q: LET
m9=9Q0: LET t3=30: LET t4=40: LET t5=50: LET t6=60: L
ET t7=70: LET t8=80: LET t9=90: LET sq=2576: LET seq=
0: LET alt=2070: LET gg=0: LET fm=2Q70: LET ed=2926:
LET te=3741: LET tel=3742: LET ml=2000: LET rp=2100:
LET fo=2083
9960 LET qa=0: LET sx=oo: LET xy=oo: LET ep=0: LET eq
=0: LET cx=0: LET cy=0: LET pc=0: LET ax=0: LET no=0:
LET xl=0: LET rpr=0: LET pt=0: LET ms=0: LET mx=0: L
ET gg=0: LET lb=0: LET z2=0: LET zy=0: LET spl=0: LET
qq=0: LET scp=0: LET nm=0: LET zm=0: LET mz=Q: LET a
x=0: LET no=0: LET nx=0: LET x5=0: LET df=0: LET xl=l
: LET x2=l: LET sr=0: LET sw=Q: LET spl=0: LET rpr=0:
LET lm=0: LET ms=0: LET in=0
9991 POKE 23298,22: POKE 23299,8: LET mt=8031: LET co
m=0: LET bu=8080: LET exp=0: LET it=0: LET und=0: LET
scrp=Q; LET ih=l: LET pg=l: LET cp=Q: LET xa=l*. LET
q$=««: LET r$="w: LET s$="M: LET *$="": DIM n$(13,31)
: LET n$(6)="UpDate Magazine": LET n$(7)="1317 Stratf
ord Ave.": LET n$(8)="Panama City, FL 32404": LET n$(
9)sM904 871 3556M: LET n$(ll)=MSincerely,M: LET n$(12
)=H904 871 4513M: LET n$(13)=MBill Jones": LET a$="":
LET b$="": LET c$=M": LET d$="": LET e$="": LET f$="
": LET g$=M": LET j$=M": DIM k$(l): LET 1$=""
October 1989
There are four programs to be presented.
Each is done for the TS-2068, but each can easily
be adapted for the QL, that is, if I can
adequately explain the programming rationale.
Lets start with the program "varset.B6". This is
a program designed to be MERGED to either the
TS-2068 or the QL. The program has HIGH LIRE
numbers that should not interfere with any
existing program. All of the variables used in
the other three programs are "initialized" by
this "varset.B6" program via <GO TO 9902>. ONCE
DONE, you can DELETE the program, as the variables
are then in memory. Use <DELETE 9902, > and the
vars table will stay in memory for your work with
the other three programs. This variable file
forms the basis for MUCH MEMORY SAVINGS in all
programming that you will create.
As a general rule, if your Basic program is
over 4K in program length, the use of these
variables within the program (instead of raw
numbers) will equalize. That is to say, that the
memory loss of 1751 bytes for the vars file
storage in memory will be recouped. After that,
the continued use of the vars instead of raw
numbers will multiply in memory savings. A
typical program length of 20K will be reduced by
about 5000 bytes via the use of the vars for
numbers. I use a system that lends itself to easy
recollection. Numbers zero through 25 are
represented by the "oo" variables, "zero=oo,
oa=l,ob=2, through on=14. Skip oo because
oo=zero, pick up with on=16, through oz=25".
One can count on one's pinkies at first until
their habitual use sinks into the noggin, and one
thinks "oj instead of ten". Then "tens" are "t3
through t9". "t3=30, t4=40, etc". Then Hundreds
are represented by "Ml through H9"f and Thousands
are represented by "Kl through K9". Thus <GO TO
k2+ob> would be <GO TO 2002>. All other variables
in the "varset.B6" file are oft used numbers in
the Daisy. B6 Software. These "line numer and
program specific vars" may be changed for the
needs of a specific program. So much for
"varset.B6". Key it in and SAVE it to disk. Once
done you can always MERGE it, then <G0 TO 9002> to
initialize this variable file .
Hie "fcmat.B6fl Program
THE FORMAT MENU GROUP, and the PRINT STYLE
October 1989
14
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
The Format Menu Group, "fomat.B6H
Donated to Public Domain by Update Magazine
2080 RANDOMIZE USR ml: LOAD "fo5.ClHSCREEN$ : LET mat
=11: LET xo=lx: LET lo=ll: LET rs=id: LET cp=oo: LET
lh=oo
2081 PRINT AT oi,VAL M24M;Mid=";id;H ";AT oe,os;("ft"
AND sd<ob)+(M M AND sd>oa);AT offos;(T AND sd>oa)+
(" H AND sd<ob);AT op,ob;("Pica M AND ps<ob)+(MEliteM
AND ps=ob)+("Cond " AND ps>ob);AT ot,ob;lx;AT op,oq;
qq;AT op,VAL M28M;ln;AT ot,oi;ll;AT ot,oq;mat;AT or,V
AL "28";nn;AT os,VAL M28M;pg;AT at, VAL "28M;tb: GO SU
B sq: GO SUB il: GO TO {z=oh)*VAL "2093"+(z>oh)*VAL M
2081"+(z<oa)*VAL "2081"+(z>oo AND z<oh)*VAL M2082M
2082 IF x=og THEN LET lx=(VAL H126M AND pr>oa)+(VAL
M120M AND pr<ob): LET 11=(VAL M50M AND pr>oa)+(VAL M4
8M AND pr<ob): CLS : PRINT AT oj,ob;"Start Col 1 or 2
?m. IKpuT „key 1 Qr 2„;cp. Ip cp=Qa THEK LET qq=jrv&
L "34" AND pr>oa)+(VAL "34 AND pr<ob"): LET tb=oj
2083 IF z=og AND cp=ob THEN LET qq=(VAL "90" AND pr=
ob)+(VAL "86" AND pr=oa): LET tb=(VAL "64" AND pr=ob)
+(VAL M62M AND pr=oa)
2084 IF x=og THEN LET ps=oc: IF pr=oa THEN LET com=
oa: GO SUB VAL "498": LET a=VAL "2413": GO SUB a: OUT
po,VAL M27M: GO SUB a: OUT po,VAL "27M: GO SUB a: 00
T po,VAL "120": GO SUB a: OUT po,oai GO SUB a: OUT po
,VAL H27M: GO SUB a: OUT po,VAL M103M
2085 LET sd=(z AND z<oc)+(sd AND z>ob): IF z=od THEN
LET tb=(tb-oe AND ll<lx-oi)+(tb AND ll>lx-oj): LET 1
l=(ll+oj AND ll<lx-oi)+(H AND ll>lx-oj): LET id=id-o
j: BEEP oa/od,ol: PRINT AT ot,oi;ll;AT ot,oq;mat;AT o
t,VAL "28";tb;" H: GO TO VAL "2081"
2086 IF x=oe THEN LET tb=(tb+oe AND ll>ou)+(tb AND 1
KVAL "21"): LET ll=(ll-oj AND ll>ou)+(ll AND 1KVAL
"21"): LET id=id+oj: BEEP oa/od,ol: PRINT AT ot,oi;ll
;AT ot,oq;mat;AT ot,VAL "28";tb;" ": GO TO VAL "2081"
2087 GO TO (Koc)*VAL "2Q8r+,(x=oc)*VAL "2Q93"+(x>oc)
*VAL "2088"
2088 BEEP oa/od,os: LET lh=(oa AND z=oh)+(oo AND z<>o
h): IF cp<oa AND pr=oa THEN LET lx=(VAL "120" AND ps
>ob)+(VAL "96" AND ps=ob)+(VAL "80" AND ps<ob): REM D
ot Matrix
2089 IF cp<oa AND pr=VAL "2" THEN LET lx=(VAL "124"
AND ps>VAL "3")+(VAL "96" AND ps=VAL "3")+(VAL "80" A
ND ps<VAL "3"): LET qq=INT (lx/ob): REM Daisy
2090 CLS : PRINT AT oj,ob;"INPUT Printer Line Spacin
gM""<l> l/8""=76 lines;"""<2> ll/64""=56 LinesM,,M<
3> 3/16""=50 Lines"M"<4> l/4""=37 Lines": INPUT x: L
ET ln=INT (VAL ".6"+{VAL "9.5"/VAL ".125" AND x<ob)+(
VAL "9.57VAL ".172" AND x=ob)+(VAL "9.5"/VAL ".187"
AND x=oc)+(VAL "9.5"/VAL ".25" AND x>oc)): CLS : PRIN
T AT oj,ob;"Set Printer for Line Spacing""TAB ob;"Th
MENU GROUP: These two programs work hand in glove
to provide a miriad of PRINTER CONTROL and
FORMATTING needs. He will first discuss the
FORMAT MENU GROUP, which is designed to provide
Automatic Format assistance. The Menu Itself is
reproduced below. Incidentally, this menu is
produced "right within the text", using the
Daisy. B6 software for the TS-2068.
Select until Finished
<1> Sngle Spc
<2> Dbl Spc
<3> Print Style Menu
<4> Block Indent Off
<5> Block Indent ON
<6> To Fun Menu
<7> Column Print
<8> Let Head Stnry
2083
Pg Cent= Pg Lgth=
Max Line Match Line=
Line Lgth Line Page=
Tab =
For cross reference purposes, you can refer
to the above Menu, its numbered selections, and
the LLIST of ""fomat.B6"". The menu is a
"rotary", in that all selections "1 through 5"
return the menu after the selection task is done.
These selections cause a graphics block to be
posted to show the new status. The current Format
Status is displayed with their vars
identification. This makes a pretty busy screen
display, but one that keeps you oriented as to the
format status.
When referring to the LLIST, there is one odd
character that is wrong in many places. The "|"
in the listing is actually a graphics block, which
is posted at various places on screen to designate
current status. When keying in use the graphics
block for this character. The menu provides many
electives for Formatting. Some electives follow
via prompts after the selection is made to return
to the FUNCTION MENU. Basically, the menu
electives cause calculations for using Format Line
Length, TAB, and Center of Page, to format CENTER
PRINTED LINES on a page. We start with the
premise that the printer itself is DUMB, and is
set to its start up initialization parameters. NO
October 1989
15
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
MARGINS, no Porportional Print, and the printer is
set for the usual 60 lines per page (most
initialize that May).
Two special set-ups are provided. <LETT£R
HEAD Stationary> selection sets variable "lh" to
be used bj a word processor. The Daisy program
that uses this group of menus uses var HlhN to
roll up 12 lines before printing the Business
Block of a letter. This lets one use pre-printed
letterhead stationary. Then if a second page
prints, it begins at the regular place on pageX"
from the top of form. < COLUMN PRINT> selection
results in a prompt "Start at Col 1 or Col 2?",
then "Start at Line I?". This allows one to start
column printing anywhere with either the left
column or the right column.
When in Column Print Mode, the line length
and left margin are set for fixed values. (50
chrs per line for Dot Matrix, or 52 for Daisy
Wheel printers). You can change this in line
number 2082. The TAB "tb" and Center of page "qg"
may also be changed for your Condensed print line
length. One should have CONDENSED PRINT set up
either manually or via the Style Menu to use the
Column Print mode. The PAGE END utility "pe.B6"
is used by the Dasiy.B6 program for Switching
columns in mid print stream. The text is printed
beginning at the column selected, and continues
printing alternate columns until all data has been
printed. This works better with Cut Sheets, as
you can re-insert the page at each page end to let
the next column print on the same page.
This Panasonic dot matrix printer allows
Paper Parking, and Cut Sheets to be fed into the
printer from the front. This way, I can print
alternate columns on the same page. Also, to be
experimented with is a capability to "reverse
direction line feed". Perhaps I can develop a
little routine for tan fold forms to "back up to
the top of form" and continue column print on the
same fan fold page? In discussing these
functions, the Daisy software is used as an
example of how the miriad of Formatting functions
can be used by a software, using the array of
FORMATTING VARIABLES that are established at this
format menu. In a later issue of Update we will
give the "LINE FORMATTER-PRINTER" which makes use
of the printing variables that this "fomat.B6"
program establishes. For now, you can see the
results in these printed columns.
Hhen FUNCTION MEHU> is the selection, a
en Enter Lines per page?""TAB ob;"Current page lgth=
";ln: INPUT In: CLS : INPUT "Enter Pagel";pg: INPUT "
Enter Line Count start";nn: IF cp>oo THEN GO TO VAL
"2092"
2091 CLS : PRINT AT oj,oo;"Line length3"; 11' '"Match L
ine=";matM: INPUT "New Line Length?"; 11: LET qq=INT
(lx/ob+oa/ob): LET tb=INT ((lx-ll)/ob+oa/ob): PRINT "
Tab=";tb: INPUT "New Tab?";tb
The Style Menu Group, "stymn.B6"
Donated to Public Domain by Update Magazine
8001 LET it=oo: LET com=oo: LET exp=oo: LET und=oo: L
ET scrp=oo
8002 RANDOMIZE USR ml: LOAD "ps.Cl"SCREEN$ : LET c=(o
f AND ps<ob)+(og AND ps=ob)+(oh AND ps>ob): PRINT AT
of,ob;H ";AT og,ob;" ";AT oh,ob;H H;AT c,ob;T;AT os
,og;lx;" ";AT os,op;tb;" ";AT ot,og;qq;" ";AT ot,op;l
1;" ";AT oj,ob;(" " AND com=oo)+("ft" AND com=oa);AT o
l,ob;(" " AND scrp=oo)+("£" AND scrp=oa);AT om,ob;("
" AND exp=oo)+("|" AND exp=oa);AT on,ob;(" " AND it=o
o)+(T AND it=oa);AT op,ob;(" H AND und=oo)+("ft" AND
und=oa): LET px=ps: LET xo=lx: LET px=ps: LET lo=ll
8003 GO SUB sq: GO SUB il: IF Koa OR i>oi THEN GO T
O VAL "8003"
8004 IF x=oi THEN GO TO VAL "8114"
8005 IF pr>oa THEN LET lx=(84 AND ps<ob)+(VAL "98" A
ND ps=ob)+(VAL "126" AND ps>ob): LET qq=INT (lx/ob+oa
/ob)
8006 IF pr=oa THEN LET lx=(VAL "80" AND ps<ob)+(VAL
"96" AND ps=ob)+(VAL "120" AND ps>ob): LET qq=INT (lx
/ob+oa/ob)
8010 IF pr=oa AND i=od THEN LET com=oa: GO TO VAL "8
002"
8012 IF pr=oa AND i=oe THEN' LET scrp=oa: GO TO VAL "
8002"
8014 IF pr=oa AND x=o£ THEN LET exp-oa: GO TO VAL "8
002"
8016 IF px=oa AND i=og THEN LET it=oa: GO TO VAL M*u
02"
8018 IF pr=oa AND i=oh THEN LET und=oa: GO TO VAL "8
002"
8020 IF Kod THEN LET ps=l
8021 IF pr=ob THEN LET lx=(VAL "84" AND ps=oa)+(VAL
"98" AND ps=ob)+(VAL "124" AND ps=oc): LET qq=INT (lx
/ob+oa/ob): GO SUB VAL "8026": GO TO VAL "8002"
8024 CLS : PRINT AT oj,oe;"One Moment Please-"' 'TAB o
c;MPrinter is setting. . .": LET lx=(VAL "80" AND ps=
oa)+(VAL "96" AND ps=ob)+(VAL "120" AND ps=oc): LET q
q=INT (lx/ob+oa/ob): GO SUB mt: GO SUB VAL "8050"
8026 LET ma=INT (oa/ob+lx*lo/xo): GO SUB VAL "8028":
BEEP oa/ob,ov: GO TO VAL "8002"
8028 CLS : PRINT AT oj,ob;"Key in Line Length" "TAB o
October 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
b;lx;"=Max ";ma;"=Hatch Margins": INPUT "Input Line
Length LET tb=IKT ((li-ll)/ob+oa/ob) : CLS : RE
TURN
8030 REM ** The Dot Matrix Printer C
ontrol **
8031 IF prooa THEN RETURN
8034 GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL M18M: GO SUB bu: OUT po,VA
L "27": GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL "119": GO SUB bu: OUT p
o,oo: GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL K27M: GO SUB bu: OUT po,V
AL H53H: GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL "27": GO SUB bu: OUT p
o,VAL "45": GO SUB bu: OUT po,oo
8036 GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL H27N: GO SUB bu: OUT po,VA
L "120": GO SUB bu: OUT po,oa: GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL
"27": GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL MiQ7w: GO SUB bu: OUT po,
(oo AND ps<oc)+(ob AND ps>ob)
8038 GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL "27": GO SUB bu: IF ps=oa
THEN OUT po,t8
8040 IF ps=ob THEN OUT po,VAL "77"
8042 IF ps=oc THEN OUT po,VAL "103"
8044 RETURN
8050 IF com=oa THEN LET lx=(VAL M137" AND ps<ob)+(VA
L "160" AND ps=obMVAL M120M AND ps=oc): LET qq=INT
(lx/ob+oa/ob): GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL M27M: GO SUB bu:
OUT potVAL "15"
8052 IF exp=oa THEN LPRINT : LET nn=nn+oa: GO SUB bu
: OUT po(YAL "27": GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL "119": GO SU
B bu: OUT po,oa
8054 IF it=oa THEN GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL M27M: OUT p
o,VAL H52M
8056 IF und-oa THEN GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL H27M: GO S
UB bu: OUT po,VAL "45": GO SUB bu: OUT po,oa
8058 IF scrp=oa THEN GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL "27M: GO
SUB bu: OUT po,VAL H120H: GO SUB bu: OUT po,oa: GO SU
B bu: OUT po,VAL "27'': GO SUB bu: OUT po,VAL "1Q7M: G
0 SUB bu: OUT po,od:
8060 RETURN
8080 IF IN 127=253 THEN GO TO bu
8082 RETURN
Mpe.B6", the column switching Page End Routine
Donated to Public Domain by Update Magazine
5900 IF pr=oo THEN LPRINT " ' " ;TAB qq;pg" " ' ' ' "
' : LET nn=oa: LET pg=pg+oa: RETURN
5901 IF nn<ln+ob THEN LPRINT : LET nn=nn+oa: IF nn
<ln+ob THEN GO TO VAL H5901M
5902 IF cp>oo THEN GO TO VAL "5906"
5903 LPRINT TAB qq;pg: LET nn=oo: LET pg=pg+oa: OUT
po,ol: IF pr=oa THEN GO TO VAL M5913M
5904 GO SUB VAL "5912": GO TO VAL "5913"
5906 IF cp=ob THEN LPRINT TAB lx/objpg: LET pg=pg+
oa
5908 OUT pa,ol: LET nn=oa: IF pr>oa THEN GO SUB VA
L "5912"
series of prompts appear to allow "Exceptional"
Formats. These allow one to input different TAB
and LINE LENGTH to achieve OFF-SET printing. The
printing variables are normally set for text
printing to be centered on page, or in pre-set
columns. These prompts offer the choices of other
formats. Also, a pair of prompts allow for
condensing or expanding the increments of spacing
between lines, to produce such printing as
subscript or superscript, or Daisy Wheel
characters that have reduced or expanded height.
For example, one use that I make of these prompts
is to use a print wheel having reduced height
charcters that produce 76 lines of characters on a
page, instead of a normal page of 56 lines.
The "fomat.B6" program allows fgr either
Daisy Wheel or Dot Matrix printers that have
different "maximum columns per line". This
differentiation is detected by variable "pr=l for
Dot Matrix" or "pr=2 for Daisy Wheel". This also
is a nicety of the Daisy. B6 software. This Format
program is coordinated with the next program
"stymn.B6" which provides for both Daisy Wheel and
Dot Matrix Printer control.
The Format program works on "an existing
print style" to allow a complete range of formats
to be set up. But in one instance it does
actually change a print style. That is when
"Column Print" is elected. Then the printer if
commanded to change to "Micron pitch", which for
some printers is called "Condensed". This
produces 120 Character line (maximum. Column
print is automatically set for 50 character lines
for this printer.
USING MERGE/DELETE
THE MERGE CONCEPT: All of these programs are
designed to be MERGED to any operating Program,
and once used to be DELETED. A typical program
line to MERGE the "fomat.B6M program is given in
TS-2068 LKDOS Syntax: <2079 RANDOMIZE USR 100:
MERGE "fomat.B6">. Then anywhere within the host
program, <GO TO 2079> will MERGE the fomat.B6
program and it will operate. A typical DELETE
line (after the fomat.B6 program has been used)
would be: <2Q93 DELETE 2080,2091: GO TO fm>.
These two lines are exactly the ones used in the
Daisy software to Merge in the Format Menu and
when finished with it to delete it. Note the menu
routing in line 2081 in which if <8 Format Menu is
elected> the program is DELETED by line 2083.
Since you only need such menus to Set Up
Parameters Ocasionally, it shouldn't be stuck in
17
October 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
memory to sacrifice data capacity.
The PAGE END PROGRAM
The PAGE END ROUTINE, "pe.B6": This utility
is given only because it relates to the "Column
Print Mode" as set up by the Format Menu. This
program ALSO is designed to work with either Daisy
Wheel or Dot Matrix Printers. If using a Daisy
Wheel, a prompt is given to "Service Printer",
which means, "Feed another Sheet, or Re-insert the
Same Sheet". This allows the alternate Column to
be printed on the same page. For Dot Matrix
printers (pr=l), the pause is not given between
pages. The variable "cp" value of 1 or 2 is used
to switch to the alternate column, then re-set the
TAB "tb" for printing the next column. Again, the
differences between print size between a Dot
Matrix and a Daisy Wheel printer is accounted for
in the calculations. Ordinary printing with "page
width" ' columns bypasses the "column switcher"
because "cp=0".
Bffi STYLE MEHU GROUP
Select Print Style
<1> Pica -80- Com=137
<2> Elite -96- Com=160
<3> Micron-120- same
<4> Com 137/160 ] *
]
<5> Script 3 Set
<6> Expand Height ] First
<7> Italics ]
<8> Underline ]
<9> Format Menu
LX=80
QQ=4Q
TB=15
LL=50
8000
The program "stymn.B6" is the PRINT STYLE
MENU and the PRINTER CONTROL PROGRAM. This
program is also designed to be MERGED as needed,
and when it is used, to be DELETED from memory.
The program line to MERGE "stymn.B6" is given in
TS-2068 LKDOS syntax to be emulated by other DOS
Syntax. It is: <8000 RANDOMIZE USR 100: MERGE
"stymn.B6">. Then the DELETE LINE is: <8114
DELETE 8001,8082: GO TO fm>. "fm" is line 12070
of the Daisy software (is Function Menu).
5909 LET cp=(oa AND cp=ob)+(ob AND cp=oa): IF cp=oa
THEN LET qq=(VAL "34" AND pr=ob)+(VAL "34" AND pr
=oa): LET tb=oh
5910 IF cp=ob THEN LET qq=(VAL "92" AND pr=ob)+(VA
L "86" AND pr=oa): LET tb=(VAL "66" AND pr=ob)+(VAL
"62" AND pr=oa)
5911 GO TO VAL "5913"
5912 BEEP oa,ov: CLS : PRINT AT oj,ob;"Feed New She
et, then ENTER": PAUSE oo: LET nn=oo: CLS : RETURN
The MERGE LINE: 5899 PRINT |4: MERGE "pe.B6"
The DELETE LINE: 5914 DELETE 5900,5912: RETURN
"stymn.B6" first defines the "font variables"
in line 18001. They are: "it=l for Italics",
com=l for Compressed print, exp=l for EXPAND
Hight, und=l for Underline ON, scrp=l for Script
style ON. These are control variables that are
set by the menu electives 4 through 8. They are
not "Print Sixes". The first three 1-3 electives
are "Print Size or Style". The menu is a "rotary"
in that the selections 4 through 8 are used first
to elect the fonts. None of these affect the
actual width of the characters, except "4
Compress", which has different results depending
upon the basic print style in use. Once the fonts
have been elected, and up to four may be combined,
the last selection is the Print Style (1 through
3).
The selections 1-3 selects the Print Style.
Line #8020 is reached only by selecting one or the
three basic Print Styles (1-3). This line assigns
the Print Style variable "ps=l through 3". Then
lines 8021 through 8028 are executed. Twin
routines are for either Dot Matrix or Daisy Wheel
printers. These are differentiated by the
variable "pr=l for Dot Matrix, or pr=2 for Daisy
Wheel". Other operating vars are "ll=Line Length,
qq=page center, tb=TAB" . We enter the program at
line 8001 with these printing vars having been in
use or set by the software initialization. Then
at the last part of line 18002, these printing
vars are "set aside to be used for calculations"
when the style is changed at menu.
These vars values are set aside (in line
18002) by asigning their "past values" to "px=ps,
xo=lx, and lo=ll. Then px and ps= the previous
print style 1-3, xo and lx= the previous Max
Printer line for the past print style in use. "lo
OctoDer 1989
Upaate Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
and 11"= the past Line Length in use. The
calculations beginning at line 8021 computes a
"MATCHING Set of Parameters" so that you can elect
a MATCHING Line length for a new print style
selected at menu. The Matching Line length is
presented on screen with a prompt "Input Line
Length". Then computations are done to FORMAT
THAT Line Length to he centered on page. A new
TAB "tb" and Page Center "qq" is calculated and
assigned. Now we have Line Length "11", page
center "qq", and TAB "tb" assigned for the newly
selected print style.
At this time, if Daisy Wheel printer is in
use (pr=2), the Style Menu is re-called, where an
escape is provided back to the FORMAT Menu. The
Daisy Wheel printer requires no further
commanding, because it has a fixed print wheel.
Why then do we even use the Style menu for a Daisy
Wheel? Well, it is quick and easy to change print
wheels, and this program will match up the
printing with a new print wheel's style of print.
m ma mm vim
The DOT MATRIX PRINTER CONTROL Section begins
at line 18034. After all of the calculations has
been done and the Format for the New Style of
print has been set up, an obscure command in line
18024 is "GOSUB mt", followed by "GOSUB 8050".
"Line mt" is 8031. We will now SET THE PRINTER to
the newly selected style and fonts. This section
deserves the most explanation because it is where
most users will have to work on to Match the
Printer Control Commands to their specific
printer. It really is quite SIMPLE, and YOU CAN
DO IT!
THE PRINTER CONTROL GROUP FOR A PANASONIC
KX-P1124 24 pin Dot Matrix Printer: We begin at
LINE 18031 which rejects anything BUT a Dot Matrix
Printer. Then the Dot Matrix Control section
begins at line 18034. The very first task to
perform is to RESET the Printer to its TURN ON
STATUS- That is EXCEPT for the ' TOP OF FORM
setting. We do this by installing the proper
"CANCEL COMMANDS" for every special Font and Style
that we use. This cancels the printer back to its
"Initialisation Status upon Turn ON", — EXCEPT
for the TOP OF FORM setting. The total number of
these CANCEL commands depend upon the total number
of the Special Fonts and Print Styles that the
program is to use. If you dont USE a Printer
Function, then it isn't necessary to CANCEL that
function. The three Print Styles (for this
printer) does not need to be cancelled.
QL Users take note: The protocol for sending
control codes to a printer is different. The
PRINCIPLE though is the same. The printer must be
hit with a CONTROL CODE to respond and change an
internal setting. We do that with the TS-2068
(Aerco and Oliger Interface) by <0UT 127,code>.
Some other TS-2068 interfaces use <LPRINT CHR$
code>. A printer, such as the KXP-1124 may be "an
EPSON Compatable" printer, but that does not mean
that its required Command Codes are the same as an
Epson Printer. Most printers require different
Control Codes to do similiar or identical internal
changes. There are three methods for sending
Control Codes to the Printer. QL users must use
PRINT CHR$ number to the Serial Port. TS-2068
users of Aerco and Oliger Printer code sends these
commands via <OUT 127, number >.
Other TS-2068 users of TASMAN or other prcode
may need to use LPRINT CHR$ (number). If you use
TASMAN or another interface than Aerco or Oliger,
then consult your Interface manual for the proper
way to send command characters to the printer. We
will use the method for the TS-2068 Aerco or
Oliger interfaces. The next is where your PRINTER
MANUAL is the KEY. You must decide WHICH of the
special fonts and styles that you want to have
done automatically with the menu control, then go
about using the printer manual to dig out both the
"SET and CANCEL" comands. You can use the
rationale given herein and corrolate with your
printer manual to develop the programming changes
in' these line numbers "that will command your
printer" to accomplish the style changes. But the
following NEEDS are Common to all.
COtfflNDIMG THE PRINTER
The first part of this Printer Control
Section is to Set the Printer Back to its Turn On
STATE, without resetting the TOP of FORM. Then
printing can resume with a new style of print and
the software can retain PAGE CONTROL. You can see
by the Menu Illustration the styles and fonts that
"I selected" for my Printer. Now the first task
to do is to CANCEL all of these settings. At Line
8034 we start by <GO SUB BU> which throws you for
a loop, eh? Well, "bu is line 18080", and lets
October 1989
19
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
look at that.
The purpose of line 18080 is to check to see
if the PRINTER IS BUSY. The printer goes through
a routine of "turning itself off or onM to do
internal changes. ONE Control Command sent from
the keyboard is acted upon by the printer faster
than one can type and send the next command. But,
in software lines, the computer is sending control
codes faster than the printer can react to.
Therefore a LOOP is needed to check the Printer's
status before sending the NEXT control command.
The TS-2068 uses the IK command through "Port
127". Most TS-2068's will return M253M if the
printer is BUSY or OFF LINE.
To check yours, first turn ON your Printer,
then INITIALIZE your PRINTER CODE. Then leave
your printer ON, but switch it OFF LINE. Then
type: <PRINT IN 127 ENTER>. "IN" is the token
below the I Key. If you get some other number
than 253, then use that number instead of 253 in
line 8080. Now we can go back to line 18034 to
continue to CANCEL all printer functions that we
will use in the "stymn.B6" program. The
programming is used <OUT PO,18>. The variable
"po=127", so that means <OUT 127, 18>. This is to
CANCEL the Compressed Mode of print. Between each
OUT command, <G0 SUB BU> is used to loop line 8080
until the printer is READY. So, we wont discuss
the <G0 SUB BU> any more. Next in line 18034 the
grouped command <27,119,0> is sent to the printer
in similiar fashion with <OUT PO>. This Cancels
the "Double High character" Mode.
Next <27,53> is sent to CANCEL ITALICS Mode.
Then <27,45,Q> is sent to CANCEL UNDERLINE MODE.
Now this is all of the special settings that is
used in this program that are not "self cancelling
when an alternate selection is made". If you use
more in your programming then you must include *-
CANCEL COMMANDS in this line of .programming. AND-
your printer may require all or some more of the
print style settings to be CANCELLED before
another can be set. An Okidata Printer, for
example, requires the existing print style to be
CANCELLED before another style can be set.
Line 18036 begins the "PRINTER SET Commands".
The first group, <27,120,Q> sets LETTER QUALITY
Mode. Then <27,107,num> sets one of two font
styles (Bold if in Pica or Elite) or COURIER if in
Micron Pitch. Line 8038-8044 sets the print style
selected at menu. Then the programming RETURNS to
LINE 8024 where another GOSUB is to Line 8050. At
line 8050-8056 the special fonts are set,
compressed, double height, Italics, or Script.
Then RETURN goes to line 18026 where the Matching
Line length is calculated, and tab and page center
is set. The Style Menu is again presented where
it is appropriate to select a return to the Format
Menu, as the work is done. On the way back to the
Style Menu, line 18114 DELETES programming from
memory. The Format Menu and the Style Menu work
together as a suite for both Format and Printer
Control . _BJ-
SUMMARY
The use of MERGE and DELETE together can
broaden your programming horizons. By the use of
these powerful functions, you can bring utilities
aboard a running program, use them and then
discard them. This lets your software have the
most data capacity. Printer Control programming
is needed only once or twice while running a
program. Why clutter up memory by keeping
un-needed programs on board? Pardon me for
showing off with my new printer! This entire
article was printed non-stop with this printer and
the Daisy. B6 software. I hope that this
discission of Printers, their control, and
Formatting helps. If you get anything from this I
hope that it is "Dont be afraid of a new printer"
and "You can make it work". JM-
Left Handed Ways of Working a PrinterN^
This small group of cognizibles are to given to
provolk thought. I Just got a new Panasonic
KXP-1124, 24 pin dot matrix printer. The first job
was to modify my TS-2068 software for the new
printer. That done, I tried the printer with the
QL. It worked right out of the box with the Quill
Config set-up. But there was no way of Setting the
Printer's modes with the Quill Software. Next, I
did some printing and became confused about how to
set print pitches from the front panel. My set-up
uses a Centronics "A/B" switch to switch between
the QL and the TS-2068 to the printer. The bright
idea came; "why not use my TS-2068 Daisy software
to set-up special print pitches and Letter Quality
mode, and then throw the the A/B switch over to
the QL for printing?"
-So, here goes. Daisy booted in and the Style Menu
was used to set Micron 120 Style, which gives 120
character lines (17 Pitch). The A/B switch was
moved to the QL position, and this column is the
October 1989
2,0
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
A HALF DOZEN OR MORE TOG TOOLS BY EARL DUNN I NGTON
100 REM TOS TOOLS #1-5
102 REM REQUIRES OS-64 CART, CENTRONICS
INTERFACE & PRINTER
104 CLEAR 63423: LET A=Q: LET B=Q: LET
C=0: LET U$="
9B0Q REM TOOL #1-PRINTER INITIALIZATION
ROUTINE
9801 GO SUB 9820: PRINT IOj'TURN OFF PRI
NTER""5ET PRINTER SWITCHES" IF NECESSA
RY"STHEN <ENTER>S: PAUSE 0: CLS
9804 PRINT #0!' INPUT TYPE OF INTERFACE"
"<1> AERCO OR 0LI6ER",<2> TASMAN B""<3
> TASMAN C"'<4> A & J": PAUSE 0: LET ZZ
=VAL INKEYI : IF ZZ<1 OR ZZ>4 THEN CLS :
GO TO 9801
9806 POKE 65523,(167 AND ZZ=1)+(135 AND
ZZ=2)+(122 AND ZZ=3)+(185 AND ZZ=4)
9807 CLS : INPUT 'LINE WIDTH?" 'THEN <EN
TER> "5LW
9808 INPUT "LEFT MARGIN TAB?" "THEN <ENT
ER> '{TB: IF LW+TB>80 OR LW+TB<1 THEN P
RINT »QJ"L1NE WIDTH + LEFT MARGIN TAB MU
ST BE LESS THAN 81 WITH PI CA" " <ENTER> T
0 CONTINUE': PAUSE 0: GO TO 9807
9809 POKE 65525, LW+TB: GO SUB 9821: RAND
OMIZE USR 15623: REM The OS-64 does not
have a single poke for setting left raarg
in. Must know the printer code if any
9810 GO SUB 9820: INPUT '<1> COMPUTER LI
NE FEED?""<2> NO LINE FEED"* THEN <ENTE
R> '}LF: IF LF<1 OR LF>2 THEN GO TO 981
0
9811 POKE 65510,(13 AND LF=i)+(Q AND LF=
2)
9812 INPUT '<i> COMPUTER CARRIAGE RETURN
?"'<2> NO CARRIAGE RETURN" "THEN <ENTER
> * iCR: IF CR<1 OR CR>2 THEN GO TO 9812
9813 POKE 65511,(10 AND CR=l)+(0 AND CR=
2) i
9814 PRINT UOi'TURN ON THE PRINTER, THEN
<ENTER>": PAUSE 0: GO SUB 9821: LPRINT
: CLS
9815 FOR N=l TO 5: IF TB=Q THEN GO TO 9
818
9816 DIM M$(TB): LPRINT M$;
9818 FOR M=l TO LW: LPRINT 'X",: NEXT M:
NEXT N: LPRINT : REM Test print lines f
or printer whose left margin code is not
known
9819 STOP
9820 CLS : OUT 255,0: OUT 244,0: BORDER
Q: PAPER 0: INK 5: CLS : RETURN : REM Pu
t OS-64 to sleep
9821 as : OUT 255,62: OUT 244,3: INK 7:
CLS : RETURN : REM wake up OS-64
October 1989
2,1
This program was converted from Bill Jones "LKDOS TOOLS BY
THE HALF DOZEN* published in the July issue. Whereever possible
I have used the same range of line numbers.
There are many differences between LKDOS and TOS. Rather
than using RANDOMIZE USR 100, TOS uses an asterisk after the
BASIC command to denote that it is a disk command. TOS has a
Serial Printer driver and does not have a Centronics Parallel
print driver. This program is designed for use with the OS-64
cartridge, a Centronics Parallel printer and a 80 column
monitor.
With the OS-64 in the dock, when the 2068 is powered up, the
screen colors are set up with a 64 character display. The
default printer interface is either an AERCO or Oliger. The two
problems with the OS-64, is that one should have a 80 column
monitor and that there is no single POKE for setting the left
margin of the printer. One must know the manufacturers code for
setting the left margin or program around it. In order to make
this program universal as far as printers go, I have chosen the
second option.
The first two lines in the program are REM statements. Line
104 sets RAMTOP as the OS-64 VI. 71 does not do this automatical-
ly. This prevents unwanted crashes while in the BASIC program.
Aswith LKDOS Tools, variables are initialized so they can be
found faster by the program.
TOOL II. PRINTER INITIALIZATION. TOS does not require
initialization like LKDOS. Merely turning on the drives and in-
serting a formatted or program disk accomplishes this. The OS-64
, however, must be initialized for type of interface, number of
characters per line, if the computer must generate a carriage
return, and if the computer must generate a line feed. This is
accomplished in lines 9801- to 9814.
The next tool begins at 9815 ending at 9819. Itis merely a
five' line proof test of the initialization of the OS+64 and the
printer. To overcome the lack of a single poke to set the left
' margin, the string variable M$ is dimensioned using the variable
TB. When a string is dimensioned it contains only spaces. M$ is
printed at the front of each line to provide the left margin.
The next tool is the two really neat subroutines, devised
by Bill Jones, that allow one to switch from, a 64 character dis-
play to 32 and vice versa. They are contained in lines 9820 and
9821. When in the 32 character mode, you cannot use LOAD, SAVE,
LPRINT, or RANDOMIZE a location in the OS-64 without crashing
the computer.
TOOL 12. The CAT print tool starts at line 9822. As the old
saying goes, there is more than one way of skinning a cat. In
order to overcome the margin setting problem, a different method
is used from the one used by Bill in his LKDOS CAT Print.
This version picks up the characters from the screen using
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
9B22 REM TOOL H2-CAT PRINT-Print a Disk
Catalog
9823 PRINT #05 "ARE THE DRIVES ON AND IS*
'"THERE A DISK IN "A"' DRIVE? ""TURN OFF
PRINTER' "<ENTER> WHEN READY" J PAUSE Q:
CLS : REM TOS Initialization
9824 POKE 65525,80: RANDOMIZE USR 15623:
PRINT #0;"TURN ON PRINTER THEN <ENTER>"
: PAUSE Q: CLS : REM Set LPRINT width to
80
9826 PRINT #0;" INSERT DISK TO BE CATALOG
ED" "IN DRIVE "A"' THEN <ENTER>": PAUSE
0 : as : GO SUB 9856: GO TO *":*: CAT
*: GO SUB 9860: GO TO t"A"d
9830 GO SUB 9856: CLS : CAT *: GO SUB 98
60: INPUT "IS THE DISK TREE STRUCTURED"
■<1> YES""<2> NO ""THEN <ENTER> ";T: IF
T<1 OR T>2 THEN GO TO 9830: REM Does t
he catalog show subdirectories?
9832 IF T=l THEN GO TO 9840
9834 INPUT "<1> CATALOG ANOTHER DISK?""
<2> QUIT?" "THEN <ENTER>";S: IF S<1 OR S
>2 THEN GO TO 9834
9836 IF S=l THEN 60 TO 9826
9838 GO TO 9864
9840 INPUT "<1> LPRINT ANOTHER CATALOG?"
"<2> QUIT" "THEN <ENTER>";S: IF S<1 OR
S>2 THEN GO TO 9840
9B42 IF S=2 THEN GO TO 9864
9844 GO SUB 9856: INPUT ' INPUT SUBDIRECT
ORY PATHNAME ""THEN <ENTER> "?P*: CAT *P
$: GO SUB 9860: GO TO 9840
9856 INPUT "LPRINT" "<1> LEFT SIDE""<2>
RIGHT SIDE" 'THEN <ENTER>,jS: CLS : IF
S<1 OR S>2 THEN GO TO 9856
9858 RETURN
9860 DIM M*(5): IF S=2 THEN DIM M*(43):
REM Sets margin
9862 DIM C$(32): FOR N=Q TO 21: FOR M=0
TO 31: LET C$(M+1)=SCREEN$ (N,M): NEXT M '
: LPRINT M$iC$: IF C$(l TO 5)*"Max 1* TH
EN RETURN s REM Picks up catalog from*
creen and prints it
9863 NEXT N: RETURN
9864 STOP
9868 REM TOOL H3-SENDING STRING DATA TO
DISK
9869 REM Create the U$ Data first ' Use
CAPS SHIFT+SYMBOL SHIFT to QUIT 1 ' Use
ENTER for starting new line "
9870 POKE 23730,191: POKE 23731,247: LET
A=0: LET B=0: LET C=Q: CLS : INPUT "TUR
N DRIVES ON, INSERT DATA DISK" "ENTER A
FILE NBR <1 TO 99999>"|ZZ: GO SUB 9970:
LET U$=": CLS : PRINT AT 21,60',LEN U$;A
T A^*,'.1;: REM TOS allows 8 character n
arse + period and 3 character file type e
xtension £2
SCREEN$. In addition Tree Structured or nested Subdirectories
are allowed in TOS. Not so in LKDOS. Unfortunately Tree Struct-
ured directories are stressed in the TOS manual, rather than
just formatting a disk, SAVEing, and LOADing a program. This
makes the use of disk drives appear very coiplicated to the
novice. Actually using disk drive "A" is no more complicated
than using a tape recorder to save and load programs. The drives
in TOS are daisy chained to the "A" drive. That is a program
disk must be in the "A" .drive for the other drives to work. The
directory in another drive becomes a subdirectory of the disk in
the "A" drive. Printing a catalog from any other drive would
give an erroneous result, listing a directory that is not on the
disk. For this reason I did not allow the option of a change in
drives.
TOOL #3-SENDING STRING DATA TO DISK. This program follows
the LKDOS version fairly closely. The text entry display is
changed to provide a 64 character display. Line 9902 inserts an
ENTER character into US as an end of record marker. TOS allows
65535 records to a data file. TOS uses a disk drive buffer that
allows only 256 characters to be sent to the disk at one time.
Lines 9903 to 9904 utilize string slicing and a loop to send the
string data to the disk. Line 9940 contains the 206B replacement
for the TS 1000/1500 SCROLL command (LET t«USR 2361). When the
text input fills the screen to the end of line 20, the screen
scrolls upone line, leaving the character counter undisturbed.
Line 9971 concatenates (chains the parts) of the file name-into
N$ and opens the file as a sequential streem file (no fixed
record length) in the output to disk mode. TOS allows an eight
character name plus an extension consisting of a period and a
three character data type. The use of the extension with BASIC
program names is optional.
TOOL M-LPRINT OR VIEW A DISK FILE. In the LKDOS version
Tools 3 and 4 are intertwined. As I wished to make a comparison
of the two systems easy, I left them that way in the TOS ver-
sion. I found it convenient, while programing, to be able to
view or LPRINT any data file. Also to see the Catalog while
choosing a file. I added these features in line 9920. Once again
as the TOS buffer accepts only 256 characters at one time and
due to the OS-64 laft margin problem, the program differs from
the LKDOS version. TOS allows the use of 16 channels. Four fast
(11-14) and 12 slow (#5-#16). The fast channels are more conve-
nient for reading back (Input) a stream sequential file and so
I used Channel II. As the BASIC system does not recognize the
TOS generated error reports, ON ERROR GOTO is not used. To
determine when the the End of File is reached, lines 9930 and
9934 illustrate the method used for TOS.
TOOL 15. It is merely a subroutine for quick printer format
changes and is contained in line 9960. Once again it differs
from the LKDOS version because of that left margin problem of th
e OS-64 and the Smith Corona Fastex 80 dot matrix printer.
This article was typed into data files using Tool #3 and
Lprinted using Tool 14. One should remember that the major part
of programing is the development of the logic which was done by
Bill Jones in his LKDOS version, Many thanks B?P,
October 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
9872 POKE 23611,220
9874 IF PEEK 2361U221 THEN GO TO 9974
9876 LET C=PEEK 23560: POKE 23611,220
9878 IF C=12 THEN GO TO 9890: REM delet
e char
9880 IF C=13 THEN GO SUB 9940: GO SUB
9902: GO TO 9872: REM ENTER key
9882 IF C=14 THEN GO SUB 9902: GO TO 99
06: REM CS+SS keys
9884 IF C<32 OR C>122 THEN GO TO 9872
9BB5 PRINT AT A,B;CHR$ Cj: LET B=B+1: IF
B=64 THEN GO SUB 9940
9886 PRINT AT A^i".";: LET U$=U$+CHR$ C
: PRINT AT 21, 60; LEN U$
9888 GO TO 9872
9890 IF LEN U*=0 THEN GO TO 9872: REM e
rror trap
9891 LET U$=U$( TO LEN U$-l): PRINT AT 2
1,60?" ' ;AT 21.60JLEN U*;AT A,B," ":
LET B=B-l: IF B=-l THEN LET B=63: LET A
=A-l: IF A=-l THEN LET A=0
9892 PRINT AT A,B;"_': GO TO 9872
9902 LET U$=U$+CHR$ 13: REM End of recor
d narker
9903 FOR N=l TO LEN U$ STEP 256: IF LEN
U$<N+256 THEN PRINT *#5;U$(N TO LEN U$)
: GO TO 9905: REM TOS Drive buffer accep
ts only up to 256 characters at one time
9904 PRINT *J»5|UI(N TO N+255): NEXT N
9905 LET U$=": PRINT AT 21,60," ': R
ETURN
9906 CLS : INPUT '<1> CREATE MORE TEXT"
•<2> QUIT'JXX: IF XX=1 THEN GO SUB 9940
: GO TO 9872
9908 CLOSE M5: STOP
9918 REM TOOL #4. LPRINT OR VIEW A DISK
FILE
9920 CLS : CAT *: INPUT "ENTER THE FILE
NBR <1 TO 99999) ";ZZ: INPUT *<1> VIEW F.
ILE <2> LPRINT FILE '{XX: LET U$=": IF
XX=1 THEN GO TO 9928
9924 as : PRINT #Q;"TURN PRINTER ON,, TH
EN <ENTER>": PAUSE 0: GO SUB 9960: REM
printer initialization
9928 as : LET U*=": GO SUB 9980: REM 0
pen disk file for input to screen or pri
nter
9929 IF XX=2 THEN GO TO 9933: REM send
data to printer instead of screen
9930 POKE 23729,255: INPUT «#l;U$: IF PE
EK 2372BO0 THEN GO TO 9946: REM Peek a
nd Poke are error trap as ON ERROR does
not recognize TOS system errors
9931 PRINT U$?: GO TO 9930
23
9933 IF LM>0 THEN LPRINT M$;
9934 FOR N=l TO LW: POKE 23729,255: INPU
T *#l;U*: IF PEEK 23728O0 THEN LPRINT
: GO TO 9946
9935 LPRINT U$;: IF U*=CHR$ 13 THEN GO
TO 9933
9936 NEXT N: GO TO 9933
9940 LET A=A+U LET B=0: IF A>20 THEN P
RINT AT 21,60| " ': LET t=USR 2361: LE
T A=20: PRINT AT A,Bi"_": RETURN
9942 PRINT AT A, B ;"_";: RETURN
9946 CLOSE Ml: PRINT #0; "REACHED END OF
FILE, PRESS <ENTER>": PAUSE 0
9950 STOP
9952 GO TO 9920
9956 REM TOOL #5. GOSUB ROUTINE FOR QUIC
K FORMAT CHANGES
9960 CLS : INPUT 'INPUT TAB " ;LM: INPUT
"LINE WIDTH ";LW: POKE 65525, LM+LW: RAND
OMIZE USR 15623: IF LM>0 THEN DIM M*(LM
)
9962 LPRINT : RETURN
9970 REM Assign file name (N$) and open
TOS file as a Stream File
9971 LET N$="DTA"+STR* ZZ+\DAT": DIM *N
$: OPEN M5!N$;0: RETURN
9980 REM Assign file name Hi and open th
at TOS file for (I)nput of (1) character
at a time, to screen or printer using c
hannel one (#1)
9981 LET N$="DTA"+STR* ZZ+".DAT": OPEN #
*UN$5l;l: RETURN
Speaking of Printers and their manipulation: My
next project is to use a 64K Printer Buffer and put
it IK LIKE with an A/B switch. Then I should be
able to feed data to the buffer from either
computer. Try this idea: Create two documents,
one in the QL and another in the TS-2068. Send the
QL doc to the Printer buffer. Then send the
TS-2068 doc to the printer buffer. The two docs
stack up in the buffer and should print as one
longer document.
Now that may be like be like riding two bicycles at
the same time, eh? Well, what about this- We who
have two computers often have documents created
with Quill or our TS-2068 software. The doc files
are in two floppies and are not transferable
between the two computers. Wouldn't it be nice to
"append a QL Quill file" with a TS-2068 file in
disk? Could save a lot of re- typing or paste up.
(Durned if it didn't work!)
October 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
GRAPH 0 f a POLYNOMIAL
Polynomials are power equa-
tions of the type most often
written in the form of
axtb + cxtd + extf +
+9
0
where a, c, e, and f are usual-
ly small whole, positive or neg-
ative numbers., and b. d. f. etc
are interger exponents arranged
in descending order of power.
Most often some one value, or
several values, of x satisfies
this relationship. Uhich is to
say that such value of X. when
substituted into the polynomial
makes its overall value equal
to the zero on the right hand
side of the equal mark. These
values of X are known as roots
of the equation, or simply
roots, and they can be rational
or irrational numbers. Irra-
tional numbers, you mau recall,
are those which cannot be ex-
pressed precisely. Some well-
known ex amp les are ... .
PI = 3.14-15927
e = 2.7132313
If equated to Y instead of O,
equations of this type can be
Plotted on coordinated X- and
Y-axes paper, but the method is
usually tedious for any equa-
tion over the second power, one
where the first exponent, b. is
greater than two. One of the
purposes of plotting such an
equation is to determine the
points where the curve crosses,
or touches, the X-axis. Such 1
points, where the value of X
makes Y = 0, are roots of the
equation. •
There may be as many real
roots to a polynomial, as repre-
sented by the power of the
first term in X. Thus an equa-
tion of the second power can
have two real roots, but it mau
also have none, fin equation of
the third power may have three
real roots or one. it will not
have less, fin equation of the
fourth power may have four, two,
or no real roots. fill of this
depends upon the value of the
last term of the equation. Its
value can raise or lower the
entire curve with respect to
the coordinate axes ..providing
the other terms remain unchang- \
ed. \
filgebra offers several meth- i
ods of solving these equations,
fl few can be factored, and the
like, but many of them can be
solved (roughly) only by plot-
ting and tedious trial and er-
ror calculations. Here is where
the Timex shines. It can crunch
numbers and speed them thru num-
erous and repetitious calcula-
tions. Ue will start by having
the computer plot the signifi- ? L
cant part of the curve for us. (~
Program G-ll was devised to
plot the curve of anu power
equation. Normally the TS2063
plots using pixels as though
the lower left corner of the
screen is the origin, the
Y-axis the left edge, and the
X-axis the bottom edge. Thus
the normal Timex screen is the
first quadrant. Hence we must
first center the axes. In our
case we arbitrarily moved the
X-axis up by 36 pixels and the
Y-axis to the right by 130 pix-
els. The values mentioned are
incorporated into lines 20 and
14-0 o f the program G-ll.
Next there is a matter of
scale. Power equations can de-
velop very large positive or
negative values of Y for rela-
tively small values of X. For
this reason vertical and hori-
zontal scale factors are re-
quired. These are entered into
the program in lines 100 and
113. as V and H. The corres-
ponding scale markings on the
graph appear in tines 70 and 30.
The relationship between factor
and scale marking is
Factor
.2
. 4.
.3
1.0
2.0
4-.0
3.0
Y Scale Mark
200
100
50
4-0
20
10
X Scale Mark
5.0
10.0
20.0
20
10
For starters, use the combina-
tion of factor and scale mark,
starting with the top -most pair.
If the resulting curve is too
Pinched or compressed, select a
combination further down the
table. Line 135 prevents those
annoying out -of -range error re-
ports .
Note that the program lines
subject to change with each new
equation have been emphasized
by having their command words
in inverse lettering. Do not
enter a new line by eradicating
the old one. Bring the old one
down and change it, leaving the
inverse lettering intact.
Figure 1 shows the basic pro-
gram, G-ll, built around the
equati on .....
Y = 15Xt3 + 16Xt2 + 3X
Notice that its curve shows
three real roots. If the equa-
tion had an additional constant
term of say +1, the whole curve
would move up with respect to
the axes and it would have only
one real root.
October 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
Program G-llA, Figure 2,
shows the graph of a different
equa ti on
Y = 2Xt3 + HXt2 -31X
130
This one has three real roots
which happen to be x = -5, -4-. 5,
and +4. They don't usually
come out in such nice little,
rational numbers. The first
two roots become apparent when
the area from X = -6 to X = -4
is expanded by using a vertical
factor of U = t. See Figure 4,
for a blow-up of this area, so
treated. Figure 3 makes the
curve look tangent to the axis.
Its scale is too small.
G-llB, Figure 3, shows the
same basic program with a
fourth power equation......
Y = 6Xt4- + 5Xt3 -5X1-2 - 5X -1
The graph of this curve shows
that it has four real roots. If
the last term is changed from
-1 to +3, all of the four real
roots disappear. Make this sub-
stitution and observe the re-
sulting curve.
Here are a few more polynom-
ials of this variety to play
around with
Y = Xt2 - X - 5
Y = Xt4- - 13Xf2 + 35
Y = Xt3 - 4Xt2 - 2X + 7
Y = Xt3 - 4-Xt2 - 2X - 3
Save this paper for future
reference. Programs to evaluate
these roots, with a high degree
of precision, will be the sub-
ject of a future tutorial.
Uarren Fricke
5 REM ** "G-ll", 7-18-39, UF
10 REM ** GRAPH Of a POUER
EQUATION
20 PLOT 0,86: DRflU 0,-86: DRAU
255,0: DRflU 0,36: DRflU -255,0:
DRflU 0,39: DRflU 255.0: DRflU 0,-3
9: PLOT 130.0: DRflU 0,175
4-0 FOR n=26 TO 146 STEP 20: PL
OT 129, n: PLOT 131, n: NEXT n
50 FOR n=30 TO 230 STEP 20: PL
OT n,37: PLOT n , 85 : NEXT n
60 PRINT AT 1,1; "GRAPH Of..
Y " ; AT 12,30; "X "
" - -•" — 16,
U-20
H=20
x=-l TO 1 STEP .01
_. , y =16*x*x*x + 15*x *x +3*x
135 IF ABS (y*U) >85 THEN GO TO
150
14-0 PLOT X*H+130,y*U+S6
150 NEXT X
16Xt3
200]
6Xt2 +3X"
3,1; "Y
+ 1
GRAPH of.. Y
Y = 16X1-3 + 16X-
-5
.2 +3X
;+2
+5
/ w
X
-2
FIGURE 1
Musings
Now you know ole BJ has a penchant to ramble,
eh? Hell there is some scattered space to fill,
so this will be continued all over the magazine.
I'll try to make the epistles worth the space.
First, I want to apologize to several writers
whose articles did not appear in this issue. Be
assurred that they HILL make it. Update is
blessed with excellent article support by
outstanding writers. I appreciate your
contributions and I know that the subscribers do
also. So, KEEP THEM COMING. Your articles HILL
be published.
I was talking with Larry Kenny T'other late
night and ask him a question. Larry came back
with, "Its in your own magazine", and "dont you
read Update?". (Arrugh!). This issue of Update
gives me great problems. Bill Cable came in with
over 20 pages of articles about the QL, and ALL
about things that I dont know about! So, INDEED
I'll have to read and study Update! Al Feng and
his Networking will take some time to digest, but
most of all it will take "DOING AT IT". And there
is ole Harren Fricke trying to teach me
polynomials! I think that I "used to know that"
sometime in the distant past. Gotta study!
October 1989
2,5
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
5 REM ** "G-llfl", 7-18-89, UF
10 REM ** GRRPH Of a POUER
EQUATION
20 PLOT 0.86: DRRU ©,-86: DRRU
255,0: DRRU 0,36: DRRU -255,0:
DRRU 0,39: DRRU 255,0: DRRU 0,-S
9: PLOT 130.0: DRRU 0,175
4-0 FOR n=26 TO 146 STEP 20: PL
OT 129. n: PLOT 131, n: NEXT n
50 FOR n =30 TO 230 STEP 20: PL
OT n,37: PLOT n,S5: NEXT n
60 PRINT RT 1,1; "GRAPH Of..
Y " ; AT 12 , 30 ; " §> ,. . fly ±&
17;"-100": REH~»* Y-SCALe'
sffl^WMJMIq ,2; " -10" ; RT 10,23
J "410": REM ** X-SCRLE
_ ^ ^
|H = 10
=-10 TO 10 STEP . 1
L =2 * X *X * x + 1 1 * x * x - 3 1 *x - 1
1001
1101
1201
1301
80
135 IF RBS <y*U) >85 THEN GO TO
150
14-0 PLOT X*H + 130,y*U + 86
150 NEXT x
5 REM ** "G-11B", 7-18-S9 , UF
10 REM ** GRAPH Of a POUER
EQUATION
20 PLOT 0.85: DRRU 0,-86: DRRU
255.0: DRRU 0,66: DRRU -255,0:
DRRU '0,39: DRRU 255,0: DRRU 0,-S
9 : PLOT 130 . 0 : DRRU 0 , 175
4-0 FOR n=26 TO 146 STEP 20: PL
OT 129, n: PLOT 131, n: NEXT n
50 FOR n=30 TO 230 STEP 20: PL
OT r. ,37: PLOT n,85: NEXT n
60 PRINT RT 1,1; "GRAPH Of..
Y"; AT 12,30.: "X"
70BBBfflaBai5 , 17; "+2" ; AT 16, 17
; "-2": REM ** Y-SCRLE
80BH8BMi3,2;"-5";flT 10, 26;
"+5": REM ■** X-SCRLE
fj =20
|H=20
l< =-2 TO 2 STEP .01
iy =6* x *x *x *x +5*x *x *x -5*x
j ammaDai3 , 1 ; "Y = 2Xt 3
Xt2 - 31X - 130"
1001
1101
1201
1301
*X-5*X- _
135 IF RBS (y*U) >85 THEN GO TO
150
140 PLOT X*H+130 , y *U + 86
150 NEXT X
200ESSE9EH13 , l; "Y = 6X1-4 + 5X
t3 - 5Xt2 - 5X -1"
GRAPH Of.. Y
Y = 2X1-3 + HXti
-10
2 - 31X - 130
+ 100 *
+ 10
1 ' *7 \ '
X
-100
GRAPH Of.. • Y
Y = 6X1-4 + 5X + 3
-5 :|
- 5X1-2 - 5X -1
+2
+ 5
X
i. :
',-2
1 ;
> :
\ i
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
GRAPH Of.. Y
Y = 2X13 + HXt
partial Graph
- 31X - 130
+10
FOR SALE- QL and TS-2068 Items
TS-2068 TOS DISK DRIVES, AMDEX DRIVES, TOS
CONTROLLERS AND POWER SUPPLIES, 3" Diskettes.
SINCLAIR QL COMPUTER and other Misc. TS-2068 and
QL Items. For list and price, send SASE or Call:
Stan Light, PO Box 13, Ellington, FL 34222. Tel:
813-747-5833.
2,6
FIGURE 4
October 1989
Upoatc Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
WOOD
W I NJ2>
COMPUT I 2STO
Bill Cable
RR 2 Box 92
Cornish, HH 03745
603 675 2218
CABLE COLUMN
This issue of UPDATE initiates me as the QL Editor. I am happy to assist Bill
Jones in producing this magazine so important to North American QL users.
Late summer is a very busy time for me. Have to prepare for winter. I hope to
be able to put more time into the job in the next issue. It is important that
we get maximum participation from the QL base we have. Ve have QL users at
all levels of expertise and with many different configurations of equipment.
As editor I want to provide something for everyone and a lot for most. My
background is mostly with computer software and even then there is a lot I
don't know. I hope I will get help, advice, criticism from readers. I would
like programs to print for readers to type in. I would also like to print
reviews of hardware and software. And tips about perks and quirks of the QL.
Also I need to know what readers want to see. One quality of UPDATE that I
like is its friendly non pretentious flavor. Ve all have a lot to learn about
using our QLs more effectively and UPDATE is a forum for doing it.
The first computer I ever owned was a QL that I bought in 1986. So I am
relatively new to personal computing and Sinclair computers. I have a degree
in mathematics (1967, University of Florida). That was before computer
courses were offered on campus. But my various jobs led me into computer
programming. Mostly in FORTRAN on DEC machines but also in BASIC at Dartmouth
College (the birthplace of BASIC). I got burned out programming for others by
1980 and started a cabinetry shop. But I wanted to get back into computing
for myself on a part time basis and started looking around for a computer.
Having limited resources I was attracted to the QL. It was selling for $150
when I bought my first one. I was quite impressed. I felt like I had almost
as much power as I did on the large computers I used to work on and a much
nicer language and operating system to work with. The PSION programs that
came with it were very good also. Being so close to A+ (source of all US QLs)
I became a dealer and sold QL's locally and worked with several businesses
writing custom ARCHIVE programs for them. Then I started selling my software
nationally on my own, through Peter Hale's EMSOFT, and finally as issue disks
for UPDATE.
Writing software takes an enormous investment in time up front. You have to
have it before you can sell it. Writing major pieces of software for the
North American QL market stands little chance of much financial success and
so has to be done during spare time. Active QL users probably number less
than 2000. That is a pretty small number to write software for. I would like
to make a request to all QL users for all of us writing software for North
America (Peter Hale, Bob Hartung, Al Feng, David McCall, myself, and others).
Please consider our software. Get a catalog from EMSOFT and check out the
advertisements and issue disks descriptions in UPDATE. See what we have to
offer. We are trying to provide a service to QL users. We have the ability to
write software as good as any coming from overseas. We all do this on the
side but could put more energy into it if we had more financial success. You
have one great advantage in dealing with us. We can be contacted by mail or
phone about our software and can respond to your specific problems. We not
only sell programs but are interested in helping all QL owners get the most
from their computers. And we are definitely doing it out of love for the QL
and not for the money.
BOOTING UP : Programs to help
In the description below I will use ' mdvl_' in the description. Those with
floppy drives can substitute ' f lpl_V . . Each . t ime we turn on our_QL or reseJLJLt
October 1989
27.
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October ia«9
we have a chance to boot up. Load a program from mdvl_ called 'boot' which
gets things going. So a boot program is a. SUFERBASIC program named 'boot'
that automatically starts a more complex (usually executable machine code)
program(s). All we have to do is press <F1> or type • lrun mdv l_boot< ENTER > .
The PSION programs (QUILL, ARCHIVE, ABACUS, EASEL) have boot programs like
this. The real PSION machine code programs are called qlwp, qldb, qlss.qlbg
and each cartridge has a boot program which starts execution of the machine
code. Often it would be more convenient if we did a few things : set
time/date, activate a toolkit, load speedscreen, etc before starting the
program. Everyone should make sure the time/date is correct at boot up. It is
irritating to start a program that makes use of the time/date only to find
that it is wrong and we can' t set it from within the program. Toolkits and
disk interfaces often time/date stamp files when saved. This can sometimes be
very important in identifying a file. The TRUMPCARD/TK2 Toolkit has print
buffering, 'hot key' screen dump, and 'hot key' macro capability plus much
more. Ve should set these features on boot up. Many of you may wonder what
are these toolkits everyone talks about. They are extensions to SUPBRBASIC
and QDOS that give new useful commands or make corrections to ROM bugs. They
may be on ROM or in the disk Interface, or loaded into RAM at start up. It
usually takes some action on our part to activate them. Usually the best time
to do that is at boot up time. Depending what program(s) we will be running
we will want various toolkit features initialized. It usually makes sense to
reboot upon quitting a program unless multitasking or saving files in RAM
disk. The system is 'clean' after a reboot.
The programs described below should be helpful to all configurations of QLs.
You incorporate them on the microdrive of the program you want to boot up on.
Each of the PSION microdrives for instance. The current boot program on your
microdrive must be renamed with a name of your choice (or copied to new name
then 'boot' deleted). The 3 programs described below then need to be copied
over. They will help you easily set the time/date and activate your toolkit
if your have one. In this instance I used some of the features of my TRUMP
CARD/TK2 system and microdrive version of speedscreen to illustrate a QUILL
application. If you have a different toolkit, no toolkit, no cartridge
speedscreen, or a different program to set up for you can adapt the
initializing portion of the boot program (lines 1170 to 1390) to your needs.
I tried to make a boot up system that can be easily adapted to each boot up
situation. It consists of 3 programs plus your own boot program which is
renamed. They are :
1. boot initializes tool kit, verifies date, merges
last_date and date__set If needed, starts old
boot program which has been renamed.
2. boot_date_set prompts, sets, saves time/date
3. boot_last_date stores last time/date setting
4. (your old boot) starts up your program as it use to. Just
renamed. On your QUILL cartridge (disk) you
could rename boot to boot_quill.
This boot system has the following features :
1. Quick loading. That is why boot_date_set is only merged if needed.
2. Single key presses for quick entry.
2. Initialize (activate toolkit features, speedscreen) only if desired.
3. Force time/date set if out of range (as when first powered up).
4. Verify time/date if within range (as after a reset).
October
2k
ypaate Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
5. Use standard time (am/pra) instead of military time in displays.
6. Loads and runs a preset program (your original boot program).
From SUPBRBASIC type in the programs as listed. Save each one when finished
by its name. The line numbers of boot and boot_date_set should not overlap
because they are sometimes merged. You need to have a full screen for window
#2 for program entry, 'window #2,512,206,0,0 : els #2<EMTBR> ' will take care
of that. If you don't have a toolkit the best . way to start is 'auto
1000<EHTBR>' . Vith TK2 typing » ed 1000<BHTBR>' gets you going.
After the 3 programs are typed in and saved you can pick a program to use it
on. QUILL is what this particular code is set up for. Take your copy of QUILL
(not the original) and put it in mdvl_. Have the cartridge of the boot-
programs you just entered in mdv2_. Now :
copy mdvl_boot to mdvl_boot_quiil<ENTER> (rename boot)
delete mdvl_boot <ENTER> (delete old copy)
copy mdv2_boot to mdvl_boot <ENTER>
copy mdv2_boot_date_set to mdvl boot date set<ENTBR>
copy mdv2_boot_last_date to mdvT_boo:E_las:E_date<ENTER>
Now you are all set. Pull the cartidges out reset. Put the modified QUILL in
mdvl_ and press <F1>. If you find there is not enough room on the cartridge
you can delete CLONE, INSTALLJ3AS, CONFIG_J3AS on your PSION copy.
If you are using a different program besides QUILL then substitute its name
for QUILL and changes line 1040 of boot to reflect that change.
BOOT
1000
1010
1020
1030
1040
1050
1060
1070
1080
1090
1100
1110
1120
1130
1140
1150
1160
1170
1180
1190
1200
1210
1220
1230
1240
1250
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1270
1280
program 1
REMark BOOT
RBMark boot program : initialise too! kit, cheok/set date.^tart proS™
LET boot_dev$ = "mdvl_
LET to_run$ ■ "boot_quill"
LET sys_ld$="MY SYSTEM"
LET year
LET hour
REMark boot device
REMark program to run after initial izinR
REMark your identification for the screen
1989 : LET month = 12
16 : LET minute = 30 :
LET day = 20 :
LET second « 0
REMark default time/date
LET 1=7. 88922 1E8
LET u=l. 104368E9
REMark 1986 - The lower limit for good date
REMark 1999 - The upper limit for good date
OPEN #l,con_512x206a0x0 : OPEN #2, con_512x206a0x0 : CLS #0
K . JJ(. REMark querry for Initialization
head sys__id$ : CSIZE 0,0 : AT 2,55 : PRINT "for : » ; to run*
boot dev$ : CSIZE 2, 1
AT 3,55 : PRINT "On
. _ _' * w" ' I WUUL uev* ; L
AT 7,0: CLS 4: PRINT "Initialize [ y/n]
LET a$ = I NKEY$ (
IF a$=="y"
l> : PRINT a$! ;
PAPER 0
PAPER 7
INK 7 :
: INK
CLS 3
: PRINT "
CSIZE 0, 0
AT I0,3l
AT 13, 31 :
AT 14,26 :
SDP_SET 1
AT 15,29 :
: PRINT
PRINT '
key press
REMark tk2_ext initialization
"-Initialization-"
Activating TK2_EXT" : TK2_EXT
REMark screen dump with <ALT>d
PRINT "Setting up <ALT>d screen dump"
1,0,0: SDPJCEY d
REMark print buffer
PRINT "Setting up print buffer" : PRT_USE ser, ser
REMark some altkey (hot keys for quill)
2,9
October 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
1290 AT 16, 10
1300 PRINT "QUILL HOT KEYS : <ALT>p - prints, <ALT>t - top, <ALT>b - bottom"
1310 ALTKEY • p» , CHR$ <240)&CHR$ <112)&CHR$ (10)&CHR* <10)&CHRS <10)
1320 ALTKEY ' t * , CHR$ (240) &" G" &"T"
1330 ALTKEY » b» , CHRS <240)&» G' &' B*
1340 PAUSE 200
1350 REMark Speedscreen initialization
1360 AT 17,31 : PRINT "loading speedscreen ..."
1370 LET x = RESPRC 11240)
1380 LBYTES boot_dev$&"speedscreen_code" , x
1390 CALL x
1400 END IF
1410 REMark if date within limits verify
1420 LET a$ = "y" :
1430 IF DATE> 1 AND DATE<u
1440 head "VERIFYING TIME AND DATE"
1450 LET d$=DATE$ s LET d - d$C13 TO 14) : LET pS » " am"
1460 IF d>ll : LET p3 = " pm" : IF d>12 : LET d = d-12 : END IF ! END IF
1470 AT 4,5 : PRINT d$ <6 TO lDMdSU TO 4) ; ! ! ! DAY*! ! ! d; dS <15 TO) ; p$
1480 PRINT WVChange time/date C y/nl : "; : PAPER 7 : INK 0 : PRINT »
1490 LET aS = INKEYS<-1) : PRINT a$! ; : PAPER 0 : INK 7 : CLS 3 : CSIZB 0,0
1500 END IF
1510 REMark merge last date, time/date setter if needed
1520 IF a$ = "y"
1530 AT 17,1: PRINT "Getting last date. If you get a 'not found' error type :"
1540 AT 18,1 : PRINT TO 25j"lrun " j boot_dev$ ; "boot_date_set<ENTER>"
1550 MERGE boot_dev$&" boot_last_date" : last_date : RBMark get last date
1560 AT 17,1 : CLS 4 : CLS 2 j PRINT "merging " &boot_dev$&" boot_date_set ..."
1570 MERGE boot_dev$&"boot_date_set" : REMark merge date setting procedures
1580 date_set
1590 END-- IF .
1600 REMark start program if any
1610 head "STARTING A PROGRAM" : CSIZE 0, 0
1620 AT 10,1: PRINT "ENTER device_program to start t <ENTER> = "jto_run$;M] : " »
1630 INPUT i* : IF i$ = "" : LET i* = boot_dev$&to_run$ : END IF : CLS : INK 5
1640 AT 6,1 : IF i$ = "" : PRINT "Done" : ELSB : PRINT "lrun " ; i* : BND IF
1650 IF i$<>"" : LRUN i$ : END IF : STOP
1660 :
1670 DEFine PROCedure head(hS)
1680 CLS #1 : CSIZE 2,1 : PAPER 7 : INK 0 : AT 0,0 : CLS 4
1690 AT 0,20-LEN<h$)/2 : PRINT hS : PAPER 0 : INK 7
1700 END DEFine head$
BQOTJDATEJBBT
program 2
awu year = iyey : LET month = 9 : LET day - 20
5060 LET hour - 18 : LET minute = 30 : LET second = 0
9/89
or
5080 OPBN #l,con_512x206a0x0 : OPEN #2, con 512x206a0x0
5090 :
5100 date_set : CLS
5110 :
October 1989
3.0
update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
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AT 16,20 ; PRINT "<space bar> toggles to next time/date field"
AT 17,20 : PRINT "1 or 2 digit number also works with auto toggle"
AT 18,20 : PRINT " <ENTER> when time and date are correct"
AT 6,15 : PRINT "Date" ; TO 40; "Day"; TO 59{"Time"
AT 0,20 : CSIZB 2,1 : PRINT "SETTING DATE AND TIME"
REPeat prompt _loop
setter minute , 31 , 0, 59
setter hour, 28, 0,23
setter day, 14, 1,31
setter month, 10, 1 , 12
setter year, 7, 1962, 1999
setter second, 34, 0, 59
IF what ■ 10 s EXIT prompt_loop : END IF
END REPeat prompt_loop
CSIZE 0,0 : date_save
END DEFine date set
a/date prompter
IF what=216:
IF what=192:
IF what*200:
REMark actual tin
DEFine PROCedure setter (value , col , min, max)
IF what = 10 : RETurn : END IF : REMark <RETURN> key means no more
REPeat setterloop
SDATE year, month, day, hour, minute, second
display_date : CSIZE 2, 1 : AT 5, col : PRINT ""
LET what - CODB < I NKEYS <- 1 ) )
IF what=208: LET value=value+li END IF
LET value=value-l: END IF
LET value=rain: END IF
LET value«max: END IF
REMark see if numeric entry
IF what>47 AND what<58
LET what=what-48
LET what2«CODB(INKEY$<100>>
IF what2 = 0
LET value=what
IF max = 23 AND p$ = " pm"
IF min » 1962 j LET value =
LET what = 32
ELSE
IF what2>47 AND what2<58
LET what2 = what2 - 48
LET value = 10* what + what 2
IF max * 23 AND p* = " pm" : LET value - value + 12 j END IF
IF min = 1962 : LET value * 1900 + value s END IF
LET what. -a 32 ^REMark-advance to-ne^ty^ne-dato field
END IF
END IF
END IF
IF value>max:
IF value<min:
REMark up arrow
RBMark down arrow
REMark left arrow
RBMark right arrow
: RBMark wait a little for 2nd digit
: REMark no 2nd digit
: LET value » value + 12 : END IF
value + 1990 ; END IF
: REMark advance to next time/date field
RBMark check for 2nd digit
LET value=max:
LET value=min:
END IF
END IF
IF what = 10 OR what *
AT 5, col : PRINT " "
BND IF
END RBPeat setter_loop
BND DEFine setter
RBMark check if too large
RBMark cheok if too small
RBMark <spaoe> or <RBTURN>
3.1
October 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
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REMark saves new date parameters
DEFine PROCedure date_save
AT 14,0 : CLS 2 : AT 18,1 : PRINT "saving new date
DELETE boot_devS&"boot_last_date" : RBMark delete old file
OPEN_NEV #3, boot_devS&"boot_last_date" : REMark open new file
PRINT #3, "9000 DEFINE PROCedure last_date" : REMark write procedure
PRINT #3, "9010 let year=" ; year; ": let month=" ; month; ": let day88" ; day
PRINT #3, "9020 let hour=" ; hour ;": let minute=" ; minute; ": let second=" ; 0
PRINT #3, "9030 sdate year , month, day, hour , minute, second"
PRINT #3, "9040 END DEFine laet_date"
CLOSE #3
END DEFine save_date
: RBMark display time/date cleary in am/pm
DEFine PROCedure display_date
CSIZB 2,1 : LET dS = DATES : LBT tS = dS(13 TO) : LET dS = dS (1 TO 12)
LET t = tS<l TO 2): LET pS = " am": IF t > 11: LET pS = " pm" : BND IF
IF t > 11
LBT pS = " pm" : IF t > 12 : LET t$ = (t-12)&t$(3 TO) : END IF
LET tS
"&tS
&tS<2 TO) : BND IF
4 : PRINT dS; : AT 4,27 : PRINT tSjpS
IF LENUSX8
END IF
IF t*(l)="0" : LET tS = " '
AT 4,19 : PRINT DAYS : AT 4,
CSIZB 0,0
END DEFine display_date
. * REMark makes centered screen headings
DEFine PROCedure heading (headS)
CLS #0 : CLS #1 : CSIZB 2,1 : PAPER 7 : INK 0 :
AT 0, 20-LEN (headS) /2 : PRINT headS : CSIZB 0,0
BND DEFine heading
RBMark prompts until y(Y) or n<N) typed
DBFine FuNction yorn<l,qS)
AT 0,0 : CLS 4
PAPER 0 : INK 7
RBPeat loop
AT 1,0 : CLS 4 : PRINT qS;" £ y/nl
LET aS = INKEYS(-l) : PRINT aSI ;
IF aS=="y" : RETurn 1 : END IF
IF aS=="n" : RETurn 0 : END IF
BND REPeat loop
END DEFine yornS
"; : PAPER 7 : INK 0 5 PRINT
PAPER 0 : INK 7 : CLS 3
BOOT_LAST_DATB program 3
9000 DEFine PROCedure last_date
9010 LET year=1989: LET month=9:LET day=24
9020 LET hour=6:LET minute=46: LET second=0
$030 SDATB y**r , montb , day , bow , mlwst« , Becoud
9040 END DEFine last_date
Comments on programs :
BOOT is pretty straight forward. Lines 1030 and 1040 should make sense for
your device and new boot program name. Lines 1170 to 1390 need to also apply
to your system tool kit and desires. Remove and alter as desired. You can
always skip that section by answering • n' to the initialize question. At line
1420 the system clock function DATE returns the date in seconds which is
compared to the lower and upper bounds set at lines 1100,1110. If the date is
not sensible the BOOT SET_DATE routine is merged. Otherwise you are asked
whether the date is correct. After the date is okay you just hit <BNTBR> to
start the SUPERBASIC program set at line 1040 or you can enter something
different.
3.2
October 1989
l!pdate Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
BOOT SET DATE is set up so it will run as an independent program. You may
have"to "run it that way if the BOOT_LAST_DATE file gets lost, normally it
will be merged with boot when needed. Of interest is the call from date_eet
to setter for each part of the date. The way SUPERBASIC works is that the
variable 'minute' gets passed to 'value' (see how they correspond in the
argument list). The value of 'minute' in date_set upon return is whatever
•value' was set to in setter. I use some slicing and concatenation to get the
date in the desirable form in display_date. Procedure date_save is
interesting in that it create a file writes a procedure to it that can merged
to boot if needed. This is a technique that can be very useful 1.
BOOT_LAST_DATE is written by BOOT_DATE_SET except the first time when your
write it.
QL JTBTVQRKing
by Al Feng
Claims abound for computer hardware and software. The original claims for
SINCLAIR'S QL (aka ZX-83) promised the capability of a PEER/PEER NBTWORK because
the QL had been designed for use in a "business" environment. The two 'NET'
ports bear witness to this intent. In a PEER/PEER NETWORK each QL would have
the capability of sharing data and devices equally (therefore, as a "peers").
Reality interferes with claims (design?) and a standard QL is a stand alone
computer. It is generally conceded that there are limitations in the standard
QL firmware (i.e., QDOS) which makes PEER/PEER NETWORK ing difficult, if not
impractical and/or impossible. This may yet be a matter of poor communication
by those who have claimed to have NETWORKed several QLs together using ' NETi (n) '
and 'NETo(ut)' in the way of bad or incomplete examples. Regardless, I have
tried many attempts at establishing a NETWORK using two QLs using 'NETi' and
•NETo' to no avail.
Regardless, it is possible to NETWORK several Sinclair QLs via a dedicated
FILE-SERVER/CLIENT NETWORK. This is made possible by the multi-TASKing
capabilities of the QDOS operating system with the assistance of SuperTOOLKIT
coding on each participating QL (both authored by Tony Tebby) . Occassional
explanations of how this has been performed has been published in various
magazines and newsletters. Most have been oblique.
At a recent meeting of our local user group (Chicago Area Timex User Group /
CATUG) a QL NETWORKing demonstration was performed for the benefit of those who
hadn't seen it before. Constraints of physical space precluded linking more
than two QLs together; but, as many as 63 CLIENTS may be "serviced" by a single
SERVER.
There are practical constraints to employing any NETWORK. If the FILE-SERVER is
pre-occupled with another CLIENT then access will be delayed until the first
CLIBNT is serviced. The more CLIENTS attempting access, the slower the service.
The specifications indicate that as many as eight F I LE-SERVERs may be active on
a QL NETWORK at any given time.
In a QL NETWORK, each computer active on the NETWORK is assigned a ' NET (work),
number' (e.g., 'net 1'). NETWORK 'numbers' are assigned arbitrarily, with the
only proviso being that two QLs not have a duplicate 'NET numbers.'
33
October 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine _^ October 1989
It is generally espoused, based on "other" LOCAL AREA NETWORKS (LAN)
implementations, that the QL with the most hardware (e.g., a hard disk, floppy
disk, printer, etc. ) attached act as the FILE-SERVER. The "first" computer
(Butch' s) was fully configured with a TRUMP card running dual 720K 5.25" disk
drives. The "second" computer (Steve's) was a 128K QL to which a SuperTOOLKIT
eprom was attached via the 'ROM' port.
To implement the NETWORK the following commands were typed into each computer
C<ENTER>' indicates that the ' ENTER' key was pressed after entering the
preceding statement):
(BUTCH' s QL) (STEVE'S QL)
NET 1 <ENTER> NET 2 <ENTER>
FSERVE <ENTER> NFS_USE flp, nl_flpl_, nl__flp2_ <ENTER>
The "FSERVE" statement which is entered indicates that this QL's function within
the NETWORK is to act as a FILE-SERVER.
The multiple_statejnejat„I^^^ .thai .you .want any
calls made to using ' f lpl_' and ' f lp2_' be answered by the computer which was
assigned 'NET(work number) 1' by the devices specified in the second and third
part of the statement. In this instance, we wanted a call to ' f lpl_' to be
answered by ' f lpl_' on the QL wich was assigned a 'NET(work number) 1'; and
similarly, any calls to ' f lp2_' by the client would access ' f lp2_' of the QL
whose address was 'NET 1'. If a disk drive interface had been attached to
Steve's QL, then it would have been made dormant by the "NFS_USB flp" statement.
The computers were connected with a shielded cable having 1/8" microphone Jacks
(included with the QL) via the NET ports located next to the POWER socket. If
we had wanted to connect more QLs, we would have indicated a • NET number' (eg.,
NET 3) for the CLIENT followed by the NFS__USE statement. Alternat iveily, we
could have accessed Butch' s RAM disks, or microdrives (limited to a choice of
two of any combination).
After establishing his QL as the FILE- SERVER, Butch loaded in a copy of the
Psion XCHANGE. A copy of QLSS from one of Butch' s disks was LOADed i.uto Steve's
QL.
LOADing via the NETWORK was much slower than direct (dedicated) access to the
disk drives. There are at least two reasons for this. First, communication is
done at a rate of "only" 19,200 baud. And, secondly, the transmission is not
continuous because the SERVER is periodically checking for "other" input. That
is, the NETWORK is being multi-TASKed along with SuperBASIC and whatever else
the user may have EXEC d on the FILE-SERVER.
Multi-TASKing tends to slow effective program/TASK speed. In part, this is
because each TASK is given a priority number between 0 (off) and 127 (maximum),
with 32 being the "standard" priority given to either SuperBASIC or an BXEC_W' d
program. It appears that background TASKs are suspended by the operatiajr
system. *
While the "server priority" appears to be '8', the SERVER must constanty monitor
the NETWORK for any communication from CLIENTS and allow access to its I/O
storage devices. In effect, we "disabled" Butch' s QL while we were accessing
his drives; and, it seemed to be moderatlely "crippled" for normal use.
NETWORKing on the QL clearly has some drawbacks. But it should be noted that
this "crippling" effect occurs in all LOCAL AREA NETWORKS. In the non-SINCLAIR
world, a single computer is often dedicated to the TASK of being the F I LE-SERVBR
(eg., a mainframe, a minicomputer, or 80286/1386DX/1486) . This should be taken
as the model for QL NETWORKing, also, whereby a single QL is dedicated to the
task of acting as the FILE-SERVER, with other QLs acting as CLIENTS. This
3M
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October 1989
becomes a valid application when several computers wish to share a common source
of data (i.e., from a hard-disk). Use of a NETWORK as illustrated appears to be
impractical for "home" applications.
The following SuperBASIC program may facilitate implementing multiple CLIENT
stations in a FILE-SERVER/CLIENT NETWORK:
10 WINDOW#0,448,52,40,204: PAPER#0 ,7:1 NK# 0 , 0
20 WIND0W#1, 512, 256, 0, 0: WIND0W#2, 448 , 226, 40, 3r0
30 CLS: PAPER 7: INK 0: INK#1,3: CSIZE 0,0
40 PRINT#0\, '[ ';VER4;' ROM ] '; \, FREE_MEM; ' bytes'
50 CSIZE 2, 1
60 INPUT, WWW, "NETWORK STATION NUMBER: »» ;a$: NET aS
70 NFS_USE flp, nl_flpl_, nl_flp2_
80 CLS: INK 37: PRINT, WWW, "NETWORK";: INK 0:
PRINT " CLIENT STATION";: INK 2:PRINT" < ";:INK 0:
PRINT a$;:INK 2: PRINT " >"
90 FOR n=0 TO (a$-l):BEEP 250,10 : PAUSE 8: NEXT n
100 REMark ******* CLIENT (PLATYPUS Software 1988) *********
SAVE this program as either BOOT or CL I ENT_BAS . If you have a hard-disk, then
you may wish to change line 70 to read:
70 NFS_USE flp, nl_flpl_, nl_hdkl_ (?)
to access the hard-disk when a call to ' f lp2_' is made by the CLIBNT. Line 90
provides an audible confirmation of the station number. The program
"terminates" with the active cursor in •wlndow#0'. Either LOAD your regular
boot when this appears, or add a line which reads:
95 LRUN/EXEC_W f lpl_ProgramName
where « ProgramSame" is jjhSLJMNm of. thS-JSTj^caja^ givan
CLIENT station (substitute ''EXEC_W' for ' LRUN' as necessary).
FUDGING TO GET A PEER/PEER NETWORK
Since up to eight QLs can theoretically perform the F I LB-SERVER role within the
NETWORK it is possible to have PEER/PEER NETWORK of sorts by INPUTting both the
NFS USB' and FSERVE statements on each QL. What you may end up with is 'dueling
devices' , and a potential interruption of primary keyboard INPUT while someone
attempts to access one of your devices.
Screen enhancer code (I prefer SPEEDSCREEN) is recommended if you plan to use
the FILE-SERVER as an active terminal.
"HOME" USE OF QL NETWORKing
Okay. You've got two or more QLs and you've got SuperTOOLKIT coding on at least
one of them. But, you don't have a hard disk (who does?). The 464 question is:
Is NETWORKing practical enough for me to consider
getting a second SuperTOOLKIT?
If you don't even have a SuperTOOLKIT, is a possible expenditure of more than
S100 for the NETWORKing capability money well spent? Just how much money you
should spend on an orphan computer depends on how much viability you feel the
operating system has for you individually. Had Sinclair Research not folded-up
its tent, the price of the 128K QL would probably be more expensive than the
35
October 1989
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October 1989
current SI 00 (at the time of this writing). I suspect that it would have been
plausible that the ZX-84/85, or at least the ZX-86 would have had an extended
°??rarCng svstem "hi°h would have incorporated some of the SuperTOOLKIT coding
with the 128K QL persisting as do the 8088/V-20 IBM PC clones. -
MostTP®°Pie wno have SuperTOOLKIT coding (originally available as "code" which
was LRESPRed into RAM as well as the standard EPROM, it is now provided on
several disk drive interfaces) claim that they wouldn't live without out it.
2?f» o2Sfr^UperT°°LKIT codinS Provide besides the facility to expedite a
FILE-SERVER/CLIENT NETWORK? It does make file manipulation and SuperBASIC
editing more convenient; but, it is not a necessity.
If you already have the hardware Cor, extra cash to spend.'], then you can indeed
set up a viable NETWORK for "home" use if one ignores the conventional wisdom
for setting up a LAN. What you want to do is to utilize the FILE-SERVER only as
a source of additional memory (as with "extended memory" for MS-DOS) which is
utilized to provide extra RAM storage via RAM DISKs.
If the INPUT into the two QL's inicated in the first part of this article had
been reveresed then the QL with the TRUMP card would have been the CLIENT, and
the role of the FILE-SERVER would have been taken by the 128K QL.
C 128K QL I C TRUMPed-up QL ]
NET 1 <ENTER> NET 2 <ENTER>
FSERVE < ENTER > NFS_USE mdv, nl_raml_, nl_ram2__ <ENTER>
In this example, since the 128K QL did not have disk drives, calls were made to
theoretical RAM DISKs. Calls to » mdvl_' and • mdv2_' are now answered by 'rami •
and ,ram2_' of the QL with the ' NET 1» assignment.
Because a standard QL does not have RAM DISKing capabilities, extra code needs
to be LRESPRed. While this can be purchased, code to provide "static" RAM
DISKing is also available with the CHOice program code; and, "dynamic" RAM
DISKing is available with the QRAM program code (a STATIC RAM DISK needs to be
formatted whereas a DYNAMIC RAM DISK does not). A 128K QL can provide a STATIC
RAM DISK of about 80K, or 160 sectors.
This doesn't sound like a lot, and it isn't. But, if you have any additional
memory expansion beyond what you are currently using on your primary QL than
that which QDOS is capable of directly addressing then it can be implemented by
the FILE-SERVER for the STATIC/DYNAMIC RAM DISK.
A multiple QL configuration utilizing twin 512K Expanderams is currently being
run as I input this text to ensure viability of the concept described.
Essentially, a second QL with a 512K Expanderam was powered up in addition to my
normal QL which has an 512K Expanderam and Cumana disk interface. The second QL
was designated as.. jthe E ILE-SER VER . _ My.ragulaii^QL-was designated th« CT.TRNT
The initial statements were as follows:
C 512K QL 3 C 512K QL with CUMANA I/F, etc. ]
NET 1 <ENTER> NET 2 <BNTER>
FSERVE <ENTER> NFSJJSE mdv, nl_raml_, nl_ram2_ < ENTER >
DYNAMIC RAM DISK code used on the FILE-SERVER in this instance.
If I had a third QL with a SuperTOOLKIT, it too could have been designated as a
F I LE-SERVER with its memory being utilized as a RAM DISK:
NET 2 <ENTER>
NFS_USE mdv, nl_raml_, n3 rami <ENTER>
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October 1989
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If the third QL also had a 512K memory expansion, then it this hardware
co ii^.-;,-Cu -vjuj - pi . ce < k* *I e - of about 547K each < 1094k total) in
addition to whatever memory was available to the primary QL! However, before
you run to the phone to order additional hardware one should note that this may
only be viable if one already has the extra QL, extra memory, et cetera. I
suspect that configuration is lOT price competitive with the MEGA- board. Again,
remember that you are limited to using the ''extra" memory as RAM disks.
There is an advantage to utilizing- "external" RAM disks. If the program you are
working locks up the keyboard Cit happens), you will not loose the contents of
the data which had been stored In RAM when you RESET the computer. Of course ,
programs and data stored in the RAM of the primary computer will be lost; and,
power spikes or outages will result in a loss of the contents in any RAM disk.
Two things are clear from this type of memory expansion.
The first is that one has to get used to making f calls' to ' mdvl_' or » mdv2_'
for the extended memory. This isn't too difficult; but, if you opt for this
type of system configuration as a permanent set up, then you may want to modify
a majority of your programs to look to ' radvl_J /' mdv2__* for data storage. [The
DTK AM I C SAM DISKs on the primary QL are st ill referred to as ' raml__' /' rain2_' 3
The second mistake I notice myself making is that if I "walk away" for a moment
and come back, I often begin typing on the "wrong" keyboard. This Is more a
matter of logistics, and can be resolved by a number of options, Including
placing the FILE-SERVER behind the CLIEIT, or simply ' out of reach' .
It • i , * ". . . i . ' u* one of it© own star, ge devices to the
NFSJtfSE statement as in the following example:
I any QL 3 C any other QL 3
JJET 1 <EKTER> MET 2 <EMTER>
FSERVE < EETER> KFS_USE mdv, nl_raml__, n2_radv2_ <ENTBR>
It also appears that "IFS__USE ram" is does not appear to be a valid
configuration. A request for another QL* s RAM would seem to require either an
" NFS__USE mdv" or an " HFS_USE f Ip" statement, with similar devices then become
inoperative on the CLIEIT.
The IFS USE •; '-a?, anient appears to have some limitations which are not flagged by
the system. In tact, 7 have found that there is more flexibility than had been
immediately eviderd First of all, the EFS_USE statement made be made to
re ^ I « v t ©I en ANY designation. You can theoretically use the statement:
IFS_USE bozo, nl_raml_, nl_ram2__
The difficulty with a four letter device name is that you may CRASH soma
programs which are only looking for a three character string. So, the above
"name" should be truncated to "boz" or "bzo" or any other three character device
Of course you cai use a more reasonable name such as "fdk" , "rdk" <?) .
"Net" might be a' good choice, but existing keywords are invalid. Remember the
assigned designation so you may readily access it.
The EPS USE statement may be changed (several times) to access other devices
f os. o . cr F . ' ' d« ," s as needed,
i donft have a current application for utilizing this much memory since I
, . : . tc iTs1 ~ _ * more than two programs at any given time; and, it
may late ma a while to get in the habit LOADing more than I need. Of course,
some people who multi-TASK their programs prefer to LOAD all of them in at once;
5 hungr y-...Xe*-g-_,- BXCHAEGBX,- —
HAPPY TRAILS, &TSD COMPUTING, TO YOU.
October 1388
37
Update
Update Magazine
October 1989
STFJIG SLICIHG, COERCION S CONCATENATION
Peter Hale, P.O. Box 8763, Boston, MA 02114
String concatenation is a subject that can't
easily be covered in a vacuum. It must
include string slicing and coercion as well.
A good starting point on these topics is in
the Concepts section of the QL manual . See
coercion on page 11, data types and
variables on page 13, slicing on page 46 and
string arrays/variables on page 5.1.
What follows here integrates those subjects,
A SuperBASIC (or Archive) string can have up
to 32766 characters. It can be stored as a
variable if the variable has the suffix $.
Any of the 256 characters in the QL charac-
ter set can be part of a string, although
non-printing characters must be entered as
code. Whether entered as code or as a
printing character, each character requires
only one space in the string.
In SuperBASIC each character in a string is
located by its distance from the first
character. In the string a$=MabcdedghijH
the letter "a" is in first position, the
letter "j" is in tenth position, As in
other Sinclair BASICS, the letter V is
found by a$(l) and "j" by a${10).
Other, less friendly BASICS,, make you use
KIDS, LEFTS or RIGKT$ functions depending on
the character's position in the string.
SuperBASIC string slicing is elegantly
simple, The syntax of string slicing is
unchanged whether the character is in first,
last or mid position.
Getting more than one consecutive character
out of a string is similarly straightforward
and simple. The syntax is a${ m TO a) where
n is the position of the first character and
n is that of the last. Thus:
a$(l to 3) gives "abc"
a${3 to 6) gives HdefM
a$(7 to 7) gives V
a${8 to ) gives Mhij"
When selecting the balance of a string it is
unnecessary to specify the position of the
last character.
COERCION
A handy feature of SuperBASIC is coercion.
This has nothing to do with arm twisting; it
means that a number can be represented as a
numerical variable or a string variable
depending on the kind of variable defined,
and not on whether or not there are quotes.
If you set the variable b=12, it will be
stored as a number variable. On the other
hand, if you define the variable b$=12, it
will be stored as a string variable just as
if you had written b$="12".
You can move back and forth through the
magic of coercion; that is, b~b$ changes the
string variable b$ into a number variable
and vice versa.
The restriction, of course, is that you must
deal with numbers . Try letting a=a$ in the
above example and you crash. It is also a
limitation that numbers are stored accurate-
ly only to eight (8) significant digits
because it is all done in floating pdint.
(Floating point - a digression: This means
that the number is stored in two bytes as a
number raised to the power of 10. The
second byte is the power of ten to which the
first byte is raised.
Thus, b=123456:b$=b returns b$ as "123456".
Longer numbers are handled differently.
c=1234567:c$=c returns cS as "1.234567E6";
d=12345S78:d$=d returns d$ as "1.2345678E7";
e=12345S789:e$=e holds e$ as "1 . 2345678E8" .
Clearly, b$ and b look the same. c$ and c
and d$ and d are both accurate, although
they look different because the last two
characters are the power of ten to which the
preceding numbers are raised. e$ and e
differ because the ninth digit is truncated.
The moral for using coercion is to stay with
numbers under 9 digits; for clarity, stay
under 7 digits.)
Coercion tolerates a limited mix of numbers
and text, but does not like text.
If f$-R1234A", coercion allows the instruc-
tion f=f$, but returns f~1234. It will not
permit coercion of g=MA1734M since the first
October 1989
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October 1989
character is not a number.
COXC&TKRATIOI
The struggle through both string slicing and
coercion helps to understand the full poten-
tial of concatenation in the Sinclair QL.
SuperBASIC joins two strings to make a third
with the operator & {Concepts page 35).
Whenever SuperBASIC sees the operator &, it
knows to treat whatever variables are
involved as strings.
Thus i$=a$8i>$ or x$=a$&b will each return
"abcdefghijl23456".
If the operator is +, SuperBASIC knows that
it should to do an arithmetical operation.
Whether you write i=b+c or x=b$+c$ or
x$=b$+c$, the answer for either x or z$ will
be 123456 + 1234567 or 1358023.
x=a$+h, or x$=a$+b will crash since the first
character in a$ is non-numeric ('a').
Really, that's all there is to it, although
some examples (using the variables in the
text above) may help.
1. a$(8 to 9)&a$(4 to 5)="hide"
2. a$(2)&a$(9)&a$(7)=MbigH
3. b$+b$=246912
4. b$&b$=M123456123456M
5. a$(2)*b=Mb23456"
6. b${4)&b$(2)=M42" but b$(2)&b$(4)="24"
7. b$(4)tb$(2)=6 or b$(2)+b$(4)=6
8. b${2 to 3)+b$(4 to 5)=68
9. b$(2 to 3)&b$(4 to 5)="2345"
10. y$=a${l to len(a$)-4): z$=b$(4 to 5)
y$&z$=Mabcdef45M
11. if x$=a$5.b$="abcdefghijl23456M then
x$(4)&x$(9)&x$(7)&H M&x$(12)&M %
x$(8 to 9)*x$(4 to 5)= ?
Just don't try b(4)+b(5); number slicing
doesn't work. Coerce first, then be gentle,
applies to SuperBASIC, but not to life in
general .
THE QL T S FORB I OJDEISf BYTE
— Bob Hartune —
Those of us who "cut our computer teeth" on the
ZX80/81 learned quite early about the caveat that
accompanied any use of CHR$ 118 when machine code
was stored in REMs . Like the Cheshire cat, the
line could disappear right before your eras till
nothing was left but the grin! The problem was
that this particular character was used to mark
end-of-line in memory as well as being the new-
line (ENTER) character.
Shades of de-Ja vous, the QL has done it again'
with CHR$(10). but the matter is further compli-
cated by the manner in which data saves/loads are
done. A case in point was brought to my attention
by Tom Sutton when he keyed in the Mail Pile
listing (Oct. 88 UPDATE). Everything worked fine
until he saved and"~ loaded back a data file in
which CHR$(10) happened to exist in the 115th
byte of a string array element used to store the
length of first-name entries. The data became
corrupted at that point during the save/load
processes .
Without doing an extensive re-write of Mail Pile,
DATA_F I LE , DATA_F I LEQ , and QSO_PILE which all use
this kind of approach to storing the lengths of
first-entries, a quick and dirty fix Is to simply
change this CHR$(10) to CHR$(11) whenever it
occurs. This will make no difference when
fields one and two are printed out on separate
lines, and will add only one extra space between
a last name and a first name 10 characters in
length when printed out on the same line.
The following lines may be inserted in theBe
listings to make this correction:
MAIL PILE:
825 IP CODE(f$(n,115))-10 THEN LET f $ (n. 1 1 5 )-CHR$
(11)
AODRPILEl:
695 IF CODE(f$(n, 179))-10 THEN LET f $(n, 179 )-CHR$
(11)
DATA_F I LE and DATA_F I LEQ :
805 IF CODE(f$(n,cs))-10 THEN LET f $(n.cs)-CHR$
(11)
QSO_FILE and QSO_FILE2:
1005 IF CODE(f$(n,cs))-10 THEN LET f $(n,cs)«CHR$
(ID
If you have versions of these or any other of my
issue disk/mdv programs that you would like to
have updated, please send return postage along
with a copy of the program(s) on mdv or.5XM DSDD
disk compatible with TRUMP CARD.
(DATA_FILEQ has pre-defined fields and labels for
use as a logbook according to formal protocol
foiiiwd b;r mat\7 ham radio lasbooKe )
October 1989
3.9
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Update Magazine
October 1989
PSIOIT XCHANGE
Bill Woodward
Last month I purchased the QL XCHANGE from Sharp's. For a long time I had
wondered when and if PSION XCHANGE would be made available to us American
orphan QL owners. It is one of the best $59.95 purchases I have made. The
four PSION programs are tied together in the XCHANGE with the ability to
share information between the programs without going to all the hassel of
changing mdvs or disks or importing and exporting. The more I use XCHANGE
the more user friendly features I see and the better I like it.
There are several tutorials on the disk that teach you ABACUS & EASEL. They
take you one step at a time show you how to proceed. These tutorials are
loaded from Xchange using the command key F3; t (for tsl or Task Specific
Language); the file name, e.g., abacusl_tsl, abacus2_tsl, abacus3_tsl,
easell_tsl, or easel2_tsl; ENTER and watch the tutorial unfold. ABACUSl_tsl
displays the spreadsheet first and proceeds to automatically enter an
animation of CASH FLOW MODELLING from page 18-19 of QLUG. ABACUS2_tsl &
ABACUS3_TSL displays the spreadsheet and tutors a simple financial model
which EASELl_tsl & EASEL2_tsl model on the screen.
Xchange F3 has 11 commands, i.e., BACKUP, CONTINUE, DELETE, LIST (dir) ,
NEW, OUTPUT (background printing), QUIT, RENAME, SET (default drives like
CONFIG but easier to use) TSL, & XCHANGE (swaps data between files) which are
accessed with F6 and you can return to your present task or a new one.
From XCHANGE you access superbasic with CTRL C and run I NSTALL_ BAS and set
your printer parameters. I spent several days setting up my printers. I have
both serial and parallel. The printer_dat is held in xchange dat. So I set
up my serial printer for continuous paper in xchange dat. COPY
f lpl_xchange_dat, f lpl__ cprinter_dat . I then LRUN f lpl__install_bas and
changed continuous to no and set up single sheet paper in xchangejiat. I am
doing the same for my parallel printer. The data will be psprint_dat and
pcprint_dat.
When writing letters I use single sheets so in XCHANGE I set default to
FLP2_ while I am writing. When I need to print, I hit shift Fl to get into
XCHANGE; F3, S, flpl_ to default for printer. If I wish to use any other
feed, I use F3,S,raml_ for default and CONTROL, C to get into superbasic,
and type COPY f lpl_cprinter_ dat , raml_xchange_dat if I am using serial
printer with fanfold paper or COPY f lpl_psprint_dat , raml_xchange_dat or
copy flpl_ pcprint_dat, raml_ xchange_dat for my parallel printer. All my
printer_dat files have the 10 translate positions filled, too, so I can use
all the features of my printers.
Xchange is like getting a PSION TOOLKIT II. The HELP files are greatly
expanded also, for someone like me that is blundering my way along it is a
blessing to know help is only Fl away.
PRINTER INTERFACE
Bill Woodward
Recently I acquired a Miracle Systems CENTRONICS PRINTER INTERFACE. it
allows you to send the serial output of the QL to either SER1 or SBR2 and
run a parallel printer. You can run a Dot Matrix from SER2 and a daisy wheel
printer from SBR1. One can be serial and the other parallel or by using two
Centronics interfaces both can be parallel.
40
October 1989 Update htegazine
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October 1989
ANOTHER APPROACH TO EXTRA MEMORY BANKS
Larry Crawford, 357 Reyolds Rd, London
Ontario Canada N6K 2P8 (519) 657-9119
Back in '86 I was faced with a
problem with memory. I had a program in
which I stored and sorted movie titles,
updating it each month. As the list
approached 1000, it was obvious that RAM
would soon be full and extra banks of
memory were needed. I put together a
board using eight 6264 SRAMs to give me
64K in two banks. The following year the
43256 chips became available so. 1
redesigned the circuit to give me 256K
in eight banks. This article will
describe how it works.
One of the problems associated with
adding memory is the necessity of
staying out of the way of the system
operating routines. Memory is configured
into eight chunks of 8K each (page 2,
Tech Manual). The simplest way of of
avoiding conflict is to leave chunks 0
to 3 in Home Bank enabled at all times
and to enable only chunks 4 to 7 of any
other banks added. With an appropriate
interface, Expansion Banks can be added
and controlled through the I/O ports.
That is the approach I took. Since over
200 ports are not used by the system or
other peripherals, we can add over 6.4
MEGAbytes of RAM! Let's start less
abitiously and deal with ports 0 to 8
only.
HOW IT WORKS
When the OUT command is used in
BASIC, or the OUT (C),A instruction in
M/C, the number of the I/O port is put
onto address lines AO to A7 then the
IORQ and MR lines go LOW simultaneously
(page 12, Tech Manual). When that
happens, two of the three ENABLE inputs
of the 74138 decoder are set correctly.
The third one has yet to be considered.
Since the ports we want to use are 0 to
B, address lines A4 to A7 will be low.
Consequently A4, inverted by one of the
NAND gates in Ul, applies the third
ENABLE signal to the 74138. Up to this
point, all outputs of the decoder have
been HIGH. Since lines A5 to A7 are LOW
and applied to the three address inputs,
the output 0 pin will go LOW
. momentarily.
41
This applies a pulse to the Clock
Pulse pin of the 74374 octal flip-flop
which then latches the outputs from . the
7442 decoder. While all of this was
happening, address lines A0 to A3
(carrying the port number in binary
form), were decoded to a one-of-ten
output by the 7442. Only the active
output goes LOW: the .others remain HIGH.
These outputs are the ones latched by
the flip-flop.
The eight outputs 1 to 8 of the
flip-flop are applied to eight inputs of
two 7432 OR gates. It is at this stage
that the final address decoding is done.
Address line A15 is applied to the other
inputs of the OR gates through an
inverter. Since the extra Banks are
located in the upper 32K of memory, A15
will be HIGH when they are active. Thus
only when one of the flip-flop outputs
is LOW AND A15 is high will one of the
OR gate outputs be LOW. These outputs
are connected to the respective ENABLE
(LOW active) pins of the DRAMs.
A very useful "frill" is the
inclusion of 8 LEDs to indicate which
bank is active. Should any bank except
the Home bank be active, all sorts of
strange things can happen unexpectedly.
For instance, it is not possible to LOAD
or SAVE when another bank is active. It
is also very useful to know exactly
which bank is being used by your
routines and to know whether or not
things are going along as you had
planned.
Another option is the provision of a
battery backup to provide non-volitile
memory. The data in the bank will be
held even after the computer is switched
off. The four inputs of the Ul NAND gate
that are tied together are connected to
the computer's 5V supply through an RC
circuit which will prevent the output of
the gates from going LOW for about a
third of a second, thus allowing the
power supply a little time to settle
down. This resistor and capacitor and
the eight pullup resistors connected to
pin 20 of the- memory chips would not
needed if battery backup is not wanted.
BANK SWITCHING
Port F4 (244 decimal) contains the
Horizontal Select Register (page 37,
October 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
Tech Manual). The 8 bits in this
register determine if the respective
chunks of the Home bank are active. Thus
to "make room" for another bank in
chunks 4 to 7, we must turn off these
chunks by changing the Register to
11110000 binary (240 decimal or F0 hex).
The command OUT 244,240 or the M/C
instructions <LD A,F0> <OUT (F4),A> will
do the job. Now, to activate bank n, the
command OUT n,0 is used. Where n is an
integer from 1 to 8. The 0 in this
command can, in fact, be any number
because the data it represents is not
decoded by the interface. Some value
must be given to satisfy the System
logic. To return to normal Home bank
operation, use OUT 0,0 : OUT 244,0. Bank
0 is the Home bank since output 0 of the
7442 decoder is not connected to any of
the SRAMs.
CONSTRUCTION
After several frustrating attempts
at etching a board using a photo resist,
1 decided to go the hand-wiring route.
Use a 4"m4" piece of perfboard with
0.1" centered holes and a strip of old
circuit board with double sided edge
connector fingers glued to one edge.
Mine came from a board in a surplus
store. If you have to make your own, it
is prudent to tin plate the copper
fingers to head off oxidation problems
later. The Liquid Tin to do this is
available from large suppliers such as
Active Components.
Mount the sockets by feeding their
legs through the perfboard holes and
bending them flat against the board on
the other side. Use wire-wrap wire to go
from point to point, starting with one
of the edge connectors. It goes
surprisingly quickly since it is
possible to melt through the insulation
on the wire to make a connection without
having to cut and strip the ends. The
multitude of wires running between the
RAMs on the left and right halves of the
board can be threaded through holes and
cross over on the top side, thus getting
them out of the way. Check all lines
with an ohmmeter before plugging in the
ICs. After protecting the edge
connectors with masking tape, spray the
back of the board with clear lacquer to
hold the wires in place. The whole
project took about 10 hours and plugs
into an Oliger expansion board.
CcnT M^T PA^C
October 1989
PUBLIC DOMAIN LIBRARIES
And some new Ideas
The CATS TSUG advises that their library for
the TS-2068 is on Cassette only. Three tapes are
available with over 140 programs total. All three
for $9.00 or $3.00 each. Be nice and send an
extra buck for postage. Joe Miller CATS, 1704
Dayton St., Hyattsville, MD 20703.
ALL SYSTEMS LIBRARY: The Ontario, Canada
TSUG has a broad Public Domain Sinclair Library,
too diversified to list in detail. Covered are
Cassette for the TS-2068, an extensive LARKEN DISK
Library, and now a Sinclair QL library is being
established. For details send SASE with two US
Dollar bills for information. Save your US Stamp
as Canadian Post needs their own revenue for
postage. And dont send US coin or stamps.
Returned will be a listing of their library and
low prices. Its worth your buck. George
Chambers, 14 Richome Court, Scarborough, Ontario
M1K 1Y1, Canada.
SINCUS LIBRARY: TS-2068 Library on Cassette,
Oliger Disk, or LKDOS DISK. Send $2.00 for
information package to: John Colona SINCUS, 28
Guilfoyle Ave., Binghampton, NY 13903.
VISTA LIBRARY: TS-1000 and TS-2068 on
Cassette, and TS-1000 and TS-2068 on LKDOS DISK.
Send $2.00 for information package to: Tony
Hilling VISTA, Box 199, Vashon, HA 98070.
ISTUG LIBRARY: TS-1000 and TS-2068 Library
on Cassette and Oliger Disk. Send $2.00 to:
Frank Davis ISTUG, 513 East Main, Peru, IN 46970
or call (317 473-8031)
NOTICE TO TSUGS: Those TSUGS not mentioned
above that desire public announcement of their
services or programs are offerred space in Update
free for such announcements.
Update has most of the above listed
libraries. They came by the bag at ridiculuous
low prices, something like 5 cents or less per
program. There are enough good and useful
programs in every disk or cassette to be worth
five times the TSUG price for the library. Each
library will have some overlaps but each will have
programs that the others do not have. These are
put together with a lot of volenteer long hours
42
Update Magazine
Editorial Review of Public Domain Libraries
LED5
ACTIVE DANK
1 2, J 4- 5* t
►O O O O O O
7 8
U4
»V4
U3
'42.
U2
'158
Bank
1
43X5* SRAM
7 .
BOAfc» WITH CP<,E PlH«»ft.« «LUB> TO PCRF&o,«,*.t>
37
25-fcK
EXPANSION RANKS CoHPONBNT LAYOUT .V
contributed freely, thus the TSUG can be generous,
and thus the low prices.
Generally, public domain software are
programs and utilities created by individual
programmers who donated their work to all. Some
are lacking in application while others are quite
extensive. About 30% are games. For even the
lessor programs there are interesting programming
techniques to be studied and used. The libraries
on disk generally go beyond this scope and provide
exceptionally useful disk management tool kits,
and have programs that were designed for cassette
opertation and then modified and expanded for disk
operation. An example of this is the LKDOS
Library by the Ontario TSUG which has an
invaluable group of LKDOS Disk Management
programs.
The Sinclair QL is lacking in Public Domain
programs available in North America. One group,
the Ontario TSUG is working hard to produce a QL
PD Library. HELP is needed from programmers who
are willing to donate useful utilities to Public
Domain.. Send your programs on disk or mdv to:
Hugh Howie, Sine Link, 586 Oneida Drive,
Burlington, Ontario L7T 3V3, CANADA. Even the
most insignificant of utilities will be
appreciated. If it does a job for you it will be
useful Ko others. CREDITS will be oiven to the
author.
Suggestions to TSDGS
While on ' the subject of TSUGS and PUBLIC
DOMAIN Libraries, I have the feeling that there is
a need for an intermediate library effort of sorts
in the TSUG programs. How about a "SHAREWARE
LIBRARY" for both TS-2068 and Sinclair QL? Many
programmers have become dormant because of the low
level of buying activity in the Sinclar user
group. This is of course because of our low
numbers. A TSUG Librarian could rummage through
past magazine issues and find dozens of
programmers and small software businesses that are
no longer active.
I'll bet that letters to these non-active
programmers can result in many of their excellent
programs being assembled into a "SHAREWARE
LIBRARY" that would be even more useful than our
public domain libraries. Of course, the librarian
would have to craft a "SHAREWARE NOTICE" for every
single program so that the Author would have some
chance of remuneration from honest users. My
visualization of how this would work is: A TSUG
43
October 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
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44
October 1989
Update Magazine
Update Magazine , a October 1989
''/J
WINDOW DEFINING:
A Program, part II
by David McCall
In the last article, we wrote the assembly language routine which will become
part of our window defining program. In this article we will write and discuss the
different functions that will be used. SuperBASIC gives us the ability to write
very versatile, many variable functions which can do more than merely return a
number. Next time the procedures will be discussed. Once completed, the program
will provide all the information discussed below and more in a user friendly pop
up window. The window being defined will be able to be positioned and sized on the
screen without overwriting anything, such as other windows or text. Every
attribute about a window will be defined and a sample window displayed on the
SCre<The following SuperBASIC programs, functions and procedures have been written
in a very structured style. This is very helpful when trying to follow the logic.
Different techniques are used to demonstrate the power and adaptability ot
SuperBASIC. From looking at the listing, the use of indentation is quite
prominent. This is another helpful technique when trying to read long programs
because the nested control is very clearly marked by the appropriate indentation.
The description begins with the simple sign function, sgnX. It will return
the sign of a number: 1 if positive; -1 if negative; and 0 if zero. As indicated
by the percentage symbol affixed to the end of the name, the function is of
integer type. The logic will be a one lined IF-THEN -ELSE statement, lines 2000 to
2020. First the number needs to be tested against zero and a zero returned if so.
Otherwise, the sign which is the absolute value of the number divided by itselt is
returned,.^ ^ RETurn was used. It is important to remember that
once a RETurn has been encountered execution leaves the function or procedure at
that point. Also, the name of the function is included in the END DEFine statement
making it and other functions easier to identify.
The minimum of two numbers is another function which is useful. The logic is
eiven in lines 2280 to 2340. The function name is Min and takes two parameters,
inl and mn2. As indicated by the function and parameters names, it is and takes
real or floating point numbers. The long form of the IF-THEN-ELSE statement is
used this time. Note that this function can be used to determine the minimum ot
more than two numbers. For example, the minimum, x, of three numbers, rail, rat*,
rai3, can be determined by the following statement:
x - Min( iml, Min( rai2, rai3))
All functions and procedures can be called recursively, like above, or within the
function or procedure itself.
The next group of functions are all real valued but take no parameters.
Instead global variables are used to pass parameters, for several reasons. First,
the variables are constantly being changed and second, the functions never require
different parameters. Additionally, it shows another alternative for the use of
functions. They, max xp, max_yp, max xpix, max ypix, max_xc, and maxyx, determine
the maximum x and y point, pixel, and character positions for a window,
respectively. Keep in mind that a pixel is the smallest screen element the
computer can access, while a point is a position mapped onto these pixels. To
clarify this concept, remember that the absolute maximum number of pixels across
the screen is 512 while the number of points can be any value depending upon the
scaling.
The global variables used are:
scl - the SCALE of the window
■ xg,yg - the graphics origin defined by the SCALE command
scr_x - the x dimension of the window
scry - the y dimension of the window
order - the BORDER width . . .
cxi,cyi - the ISumber* of pixels a character occupies in the x
and y directions
The simolest functions is maxyp, lines 2040 to 2060. The number of points in
the y dirSn! sc" is defined ~w!th theSCALE command. The nuximum y position
is, therefore, the y origin value, yg, added to scl.
The most difficult to understand function is max_xp, lines 2080 to 2100. it
is a function of many variables xg, scl, order scr x, and scry, and the compu-
tation is complex. TheSCALE command scales the window by making the x and y
October 1989 45 Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
experimentally to give the best answer in the function). The number of pixels that
are accessible in the window are not scrjx and scr_y if a border is defined. They
are (scrjy - 2 * brder) and (scr_x - 4 * brder) — the BORDER width is doubled in
the y-direction and quadrupled in the x-direction.
To calculate the maximum point position in the x-direction, the maximum
length of the window in the y-direction must be mapped into length as measured in
the x direction. This is done by multiplying scl by (503/802). This result must
then be multiplied by the ratio of pixels in the different direction, (scr_x -
4*brder)/(scri_y - 2*brder). Finally, it must be added to the x value of the
graphics origin, xg.
The expression for this calculation given in line 2090 has alternating
division and multiplication to maintain as many significant digits as possible.
Whenever a calculation requires many multiplications and divisions, it should
always be arranged such that the two operations alternate with division coming
first. Otherwise more significant digits can be lost by the rounding error in the
computer.
As discussed above, the number of accessible pixels in the defined window is
(scry - 2 * brder) and (scr_x - 4 * brder). To obtain the values for max xpix and
max_ypix, one must be subtracted from both, see lines 2120 to 2180. This makes
the pixel origin (0,0) instead of (1,1). (
The last window characteristic functions, max_xc and max_yc, are relatively
simple. These determine the maximum number of characters that can be printed in
the window with the specified character size. This calculation is the integer
portion of the maximum pixels divided by the number of pixels the character takes
up. For the x and y directions, the equations are INT((scr x -4*brder -1)/ cxi)
and INT((scr y -2*brder -1)/ cyi), respectively. Please refer to lines 2200 to
2260. • f
Finally, the remaining functions are used in conjunction to replace the
standard INPUT. In their present state, they allow only integer values with a
specified number of digits and maximum value. The values inputted with these
routines are constantly right justified as they are typed in and if nothing is
entered, a default value is returned. Also, if positive numbers are only desired,
they will ensure this. .
The function get_nura! calls the main function routine, input!, which handles
all justification and keyboard reading. Get_nimZ performs the limit and sign
testing and returns the proper value according to the restrictions given. The
first line, 2380, calls input! and sets the return value, old!, to a default value
if nothing has been entered. The next line, 2390. checks to see if the value is
greater than the maximum value, max!. If greater, it sets the return value to the
maximum value. The following line, 2400, checks the positive value only flag,
positive!, and if set, makes sure the value is positive. Finally, line 2410
returns the value.
The last function, inputX, lines 2440 to 3420, will not be discussed line by
line as the previous ones were because of its length. However, each major section
will be discussed and explained. The first five lines initialize the variables,
set ink color, and define the local variables. The rest of the function is a
REPeat loop with a large SELect ON statement nested inside. Basically the function
constantly checks the keyboard with an INKEY$ function and the SELect ON statement
performs the necessary tasks depending upon ' the key enteredT^inUHiber being
entered is kept in a string stg$. The variable posZ keeps track of the string
position the cursor is presently in, length! holds the number of digits typed, and
max! is the maximum number of digits allowed.
The first few lines of the REPeat loop, 2520 to 2560, print the cursor and
retrieve the next key. The SELect statement processes the key typed. If the "ESC"
key is typed, the program is stopped, lines 2580 to 2590. If "-" or "_" is typed a
negative sign is inserted at the far left position, 2600 to 2610. Similarly, if
"-" or "+" is typed, a . space is put in the far left position. If a number is
typed, it is inserted at the present cursor location and the number of digits,
length!, is increased, 2640 to 2780. As you can see, a double nested IF-THEN-ELSE
statement is used. This is necessary because of the different cursor positions,
far left, far right, in the middle, that are possible and the string functions in
SuperBASIC require different handling in each case.
Lines 2790 to 2850 move the cursor about the already typed numbers and it is
not allowed to move across any untyped space. Right deletion is handled With lines
2860 to 3050. Again there are two nested IF-THEN-ELSE structures taking care of
the different possibilities that could arise. The outer IF statement checks to see
where the cursor is in the string. If it is at the first position, removing a
character is easier. However if there has only been one character typed in the
string can be reset to its initial state otherwise the rest of the characters need
to be shifted.
October 1989 4 6 update iAag&zine
Update Magazine
October 1989
When the cursor is not in the first position, the string needs to be cut in
two and put back together without the deleted character. The left* and right!
variables are used to find the position just left of the cursor and just right of
the cursor. The string is then reconstructed after the left position is checked to
make sure it is still within the string.
Left deletion is performed by lines 3060 to 3260 and is analogous to the
right delete except it does not remove the character the cursor is on like the
regular INPUT. The right delete was chosen to perform this action because the
routine keeps numbers right justified. . ■ •• .
The number is entered whenever "Return", "Up Arrow", or 'Down Arrow is
pressed, lines 3270 to 3300. The last ON clause repeats the loop again if any
other key is typed. Immediately following the END SELect,, lines 3340 to 3350, are
the lines which update the string on the screen. Finally, lines 3370 to 3410
return the value entered or -9999, which indicates nothing has been typed in.
Half of the larger window defining program has been covered with this second
article. You will notice that the line numbering started at 2000. Each article has
been constructed to ensure no line numbering conflicts when they are all merged
together at the end of this series. The complete program will be available on an
"Issue Disk" also.
LISTING A
2000 DEFine FuNction sgn%(t%)
2010 IF t%«0 THEN RETurn 0:ELSE RETurn ABS(t%)/t%
2020 END DEFine sgn%
2030 :
2040 DEFine FuNction max_yp
2050 RETurn scl + yg
2060 END DEFine max_yp
2070 :
2080 DEFine FuNction max xp
2090 RETurn scl/802*5U3/(scr_-y-2*brder-l)*(scr_x-4*brder-l)+xg
2100 END DEFine max_xp
2110 :
2120 DEFine FuNction max xpix
2130 RETurn (scr_x-4*Erder-l)
2140 END DEFine max_j>ix
2150 :
2160 DEFine FuNction max ypix
2170 RETurn (scr_y-2*brder-l)
2180 END DEFine max_ypix
2190 :
2200 DEFine FuNction max_xc
2210 RETurn INT((scr_y-2*brder-l)/cyi)
2220 END DEFine max_xc
2230 :
2240 DEFine FuNction max_jc
2250 RETurn lNT((scr_x-4*brder-l)/cxi)
2260 END DEFine max_yc
2270 :
2280 DEFine FuNction Min(mnl,mn2)
2290 IF mnl<mn2 THEN
2300 RETurn mnl
2310 ELSE
2320 RETurn mn2
2330 END IF
2340 END DEFine Min
2350 :
2360 DEFine FuNction get_num%(win%,x,y,len%,old7.,max%,positve%)
2370 LOCal t%
2380 t%-input7o(win%,x,y,len%):IF t%<>-9999 THEN old%-t%
2390 IF ABS(old%)>max% THEN old%-sgn%(old%)*max%
2400 IF positve% THEN old7.-ABS(old%)
2410 RETurn old%
2420 END DEFine get_num7.
2430 :
2440 DEFine FuNction input% (win%,x,y,max%)
2450 LOCal loop7.,k$(l) ,k,s$(l) ,stg$(max%) ,pos%,right%, lef t7., length%
2460 INK#win7.,7
. 2470 s$(l)-' 1 .
October 1989 H / M^azine
Update Magazine
October 1989
2480 stg$«FILL$( '_' ,max%)
2490 pos%«l
2500 length%»0
2510 REPeat loop7.
2520 0VER#win%, -1
2530 AT #win%,x,y-hnax%-pos%: PRINT #win%, ' '
2540 OVER #win%,0
2550 k$(l)-INKEY$(#3)
2560 k«G0DE(k$(l))
2570 SELect ON k
2580 ON k-27
2590 STOP
2600 ON k-45,95
2610 s$(l)-,-,
2620 ON k-43,61
2630 s$(l)»' '
2640 ON k-48 TO 57
2650 IF pos%-l THEN
2660 IF max%>l THEN
2670 stg$(l TO max%)-stg$(2 TO max%)&k$(l)
2680 ELSE
2690 stg$(l)-k$(l)
2700 END IF
2710 ELSE
2720 IF pos%<max7o THEN
2730 stg$(l TO max%)-stg$(2 TO max%-pos%+l)&k$(l)&
stg$(max%-pos%+2 TO max%)
2740 ELSE
2750 stg$(l TO max%)«k$(l)&stg$(2 TO max7.)
2760 END IF
2770 END IF
2780 length%-(length%+l):IF length%>max% THEN Iength7.«max7.
2790 ON k-200
2800 pos% - pos% -1
2810 IF pos%<-0 THEN pos% - 1
2820 ON k-192
2830 pos% - pos% +1
2840 IF pos%>-Iength7. THEN pos% - length7.
2850 IF pos7.-0 THEN pos7.-l
2860 ON k-202
2870 IF pos7. <> 1 THEN
2880 left7. - max%-pos%
2890 right7. - max%-pos%+2
2900 IF left7. < 1 THEN
2910 stg$(l TO max7.)-*_'&stg$(2 TO max7.)
2920 ELSE
2930 stg$(l TO max7.)-'_,&stg$(l TO lef t7.)&stg$(right% TO max%)
2940 END IF
2950 Iength7.-Iength7,-1:IF length7.<0 THEN length7.-0
2%0 ELSE
2970 IF max7.-l THEN
2980 stg$(l TO max7.)-'_*
2990 ELSE
3000 stg$(l TO max7.)-'_,&stg$(l TO max7.-l)
3010 END IF
3020 Iength7.-Iength7.-1:IF length7.<0 THEN length7.-0
3030 END IF
3040 pos%-pos%-l
3050 IF pos%<-0 THEN pos7.-l
3060 ON k-194
3070 IF pos7. - 1 THEN
3080 IF max7.<-2 THEN
3090 IF max7.=2 THEN
3100 stg$(l TO max%)-,_'&stg$(max%)
3110 Iength7.-Iength7.-1:IF lengtl\%<l THEN length%-l
3120 END IF
3130 ELSE
3140 stg$(l TO max7.)-'_'&stg$(l TO max7.-2)&stg$(max7.)
3150 length%-length7.-l:IF length%<l THEN length%-l
3160 END IF
3170 ELSE
i, 0 Update Magazine
Update Magazine
October 1989
3190 righa-maxZ-posZ+1
3200 IF lef t7.<l THEN
3210 stg$(l TO max%)-'_'4stg|(righa TO max!)
3220 ELSE
3230 8tg|(l TO roaxX)-' 'ABtgld TO lef tX)&atg$(rightZ TO roaxX)
3240 END IF
3250 lengthZ-leiigthZ-l:lF lengthJKO IUEN lengthX-0
3260 END IF
3270 ON k-10,208,216
3280 AT#winZ,x,y-l
3290 PRINT #win%,8$(l)&stg$
3300 EXIT loop*
3310 ON k- REMAINDER
3320 NEXT loopZ
3330 END SELect
3340 AT#winX,x,y-l
3350 PRINT#winZ,8$(l);atg$
3360 END REPeat loopZ
3370 IF lengthZ-0 THEN
3380 RETurn -9999
3390 ELSE
3400 RETurn a$(l)&atg|(maxZ-lengthX+l TO max*)
3410 END IF
3420 END DEFine input!
Librarian would spend some of the clubs rich
finances to write to the programmers and defunct
software businesses, explaining the objectives and
promising that a Shareware Notice would be
attached to any program donated to the library.
The Shareware Library would be assembled and
sold for a small fee to re-pay the TSUG treasury
and perhaps make a nominal profit. Here we would
have a level of professionalism in the Shareware
Library that exceeds that of a public domain
library. Most honest users woud respond to the
Shareware notice and send the author his just
deservings for the use of the program. An
organized effort to serve the users with good
programs could just entice some of our dormant
programmers to begin producing again. A TSUG
could set its own standards for "Read Me" doc
files to enhance the value of the library. Some
work in that area would justify the small profits
to be realized by the Club treasury.
There is no reason why our active dealers
shouldn't pick up upon this idea and develop their
own Shareware Libraries. Generally Shareware
Software is fully documented within the
programming by "Read MeM files, and is not
supported by paper manuals. Thus the distribution
of Shareware programs is simply one of supplying
the programs on a medium. And, the distributor
carries no responsibility for adequacy of either
the programs or their documentation. The success
of the Author in receiving payment for his work
depends upon his prowess in explaining his program
in the Read-Me files.
If the (honest) user finds the program to be
useful , then his conscience works on him to send
the Author what the user feels that the program is
worth. Here-to-fore the Shareware concept has not
been very successful. This is because it has been
a singular effort by single progammers who have
had difficulty in letting the public know about
their product availibility. A combined disk with
several author's programs, distributed by a TSUG
or Dealer, could be of benefit to all. Update
Magazine will help to publicise such an effort by
the TSUGS and our Dealers.
other with 30 Mgbt Hard drive and operating MS
DOS. Each has two MDV's making seven storage
devices at disposal. Anybody want to tackle an
algorithm for that scheme?
TS-2068 to QL LINK SOFTWARE? Why not? This
is so close to reality that it should be done.
What we need is an adaptation of Modem Software
that operates direct from the TS-2068 *s ZSI/O to
the QL's Serial I/O port. Another Idea is to use
two modems hooked together, and their software,
without going through the telephone medium. There
are people doing this, but how they do it is not
known publically.
I have pile of good stuff for the "Perks and
Quirks" column for next issue. There just wasn't
room for more in this one. John Juergens accused
me of being "anti Micro Drive", which deserves a
smart answer, plus more good and better stuff.
Incidentally, I use the PSION suite right out of
micro drive almost all of the time. I have an
idea for a "QL Hard Floppy" for the next issue
which I'll get our QL Editor to authenticate.
October 1989
Update Magazine
The UPDATE Computer Desk
Several have ask about how things are set up
at the UPDATE Computer room. So, we will use a
couple of pages to d I scribe the lash up. The
sketch on the facing page gives a busy diagram of
the three computer and two printer system. Not
shown Is the ml r I ad of power and Interface
cabling. The whole system Is set up on a "door
blank", purchased from a lumber yard, varnished to
a nice finish. This desk top sits upon three
cabinets that have shelves. These teakwood
cabinets have ornate picture carvings and were
sent home from Thailand during the Viet Nam war.
So the entire computer desk Is quite attractive.
When such a system Is first Installed the
biggest problem Is to avoid getting caught In the
spider web of cabling. This requires some
planning. Four 6 outlet receptacle boxes are
used. Two of them have both voltage spike and RFI
protection. The equipment was first placed into
position and then the cabling was run to the rear
of the desk and lashed up Into trunk lines, the
surplus lengths folded back and tied. All of the
equipment was purchased from our own Sinclair
Suppliers over a period of time, which avoided
difficulty with cables and connectors not
matching.
THE DISK CABINETS: One for the QL has 2 80
track drives. One for the TS-2068 has three 80
track drives and a 40 track. Another for the
TS-2068 has two 40 track drives, it Is common
practice to change drive unit Data Cables while
power Is on In order to copy disks of different
mixtures, 80 to 80, 40 to 40, or 80 to 40. This
Is quite safe with Shughurt DOS systems. Both
monitors sit upon stands that allow equipment to
be positioned underneath. Under the QL Monitor is
the Coleco Adam Power supply and an A/C receptacle
unit. Beneath the TS-2068 monitor Is the
extension to the 1/0 bus, the A/B switches, and
the Printer Buffer.
The QL System has Trump Card, EPROM for ROM
change, and Speed Screen In ROM. A spare QL has
different tool kits than the main. The TS-2068
system Is really stacked up, having a minimum
system configuration of 344K with the Aerco FD-68
or up to 424K with the combo of LKDOS and Ollger
DOS. The main TS-2068 has the (Dan Elliott)
modification to provide external power for all
external devices connected to the I/O port. This
modification was done to the computer Itself and a
switch added to the rear deck to allow either
Timex Power or Coleco Power to the external
devices. With power supplied by the Coleco P/S
the TS-2068 voltage reg Is protected from
overload.
The TS-2068 has five Disk Operating systems:
1. Larken LKDOS, 2. Ollger DOS, 3. Aerco FD-68
DOS, 4. MAX DOS, a combo of STACKED LKDOS and
Ollger DOS, 5. Stacked Ollger DOS and SPDOS.
Actually there Is a possibility of another by
having the Ollger DOS, LKDOS, and SPDOS In a
stacked environment. SPDOS Is the "Mlllenla K"
system DOS that resides in RAM.
The PRINTING set up allows either computer to
use print buffer and either printer. This allows
different print styles to be used at the flip of a
switch. Also, the print buffer In this set up
allows the output data of three computers to be
combined In the print buffer for printing In the
same document. Alternate capability exists to
hook up two QL's or two TS-2068s as "computers A
and B", or to hook up either spare In the position
that the Z88 is shown.
TELECOMPUTING: There Is a capability for
the QL and TS-2068 to transfer ASCII files to each
other via two modems and two telephone lines which
are terminated at the computer desk. Or, both
computers can be downloading files from two
different BBS at the same time. Much of the
capabilities have languished for lack of time to
devote to the tasks. While the entire system fits
nicely upon the "door top desk", there is need for
side board desk top space to store disks and the
large library of manuals. So, the computer corner
has wrap around desks In a "U" shape. The entire
floor space requirement Is about 8X10 feet.
y-n 7s».*<-r,*>\ /pi*t cost Cv
\ t
roK QL /S UnVfo ATM/ft* * JT? *m*L£i~M*J€~i_
DO'S F
UPDATE MAGAZINE ISSUE DISKS (MDV)
The Issue Disks contain programs and utilities that are presented in the
magazine, plus some longer Softwares that are not given in Update. All of the
Sinclair QL programs and some of the TS-2068 programs are authored by
contributing programmers. These authors receive 50% of the sales proceeds. The
purpose of the Issue Disk program is to encourage our programmers to continue to
produce software and utilities for our support. We introduce you to the
programmers and hope that you will contact them directly to receive a complete
listing of their products.
Update Magazine considers each of the centerpiece titles of these disks to
be well worth the price, but we add selected programs to the disks to insure
that they are bargains.
Sinclair QL disks are supplied on either Micro Cartridge or 5 1/4" DS DD 80
track Disks. (If for MDV send a Formatted Cart). So far as we know these disks
are usable with any QL Disk Interface (CST, Sandy, Trump, Cumma).
TS-2068 Issue Disks are supplied on either 40 or 80 track DSDD 5 1/4", for
LKDOS, Oliger DOS, Aerco FD-68.
TS-2068 ISSUE DISKS
1. "DAISY.B6" Disk
A Complete TS-2068 Software
System. Data Base Management,
Versatile Print Outputs, Disk
Management. Over 20 integrated
programs •
2. "HARTUNG A" Disk
A complete set of Disk Mgt
Utilities for Oliger DOS Only.
3. "MITCHELL VIEW CALC" Disk
V-C Expanded and converted for
DD, with Spreadsheet Printer.
4. "DBase-1" Disk
Disk Data Base Management.
For Records of all kinds.
Unlimited size and number of
Records. Versatile Print Out.
5. "1987 Update Collection"
"Mail Merge", "J-Utilities" ,
Extra Memory Utilities.
6. "Update 1989 Collection"
Utilities presented in the
1989 Update series.
SINCLAIR QL ISSUE DISKS (MDV)
1. "CABLE A-l" Disk
The "HELPER" Disk and MDV TOOL
Kit. Completely manages all
Media. COPY, FORMAT, Read Files
Print Disk Files, A Tool Kit for
for both Expanded and Stock QLs
2. "CABLE A" Disk
Two Archive Expander Programs
"REFIELD" and "SCAN"
3. "CABLE B" Disk
"DBeasy", an outstanding DB
Software that employs Archive.
4. "HARTUNG COLLECTION" Disk
Several Excellent Programs
and Utilities. "Address File"
"QSO FILE", Disk Utilities,
and others.
5. "CABLE C" Disk
The "FILER" program.
Plus added selections.
6. COMING—
Programs by Al Feng
Programs by David McCall
BACK ISSUES of Update Magazine are available by year series (1987, 1988,
1989) for $18.00 while supply lasts.
SJ
Software for th« QJu. that reallr Kork*
We sail real world software that does real work on a QL computer, much of
which 1s tax deductible. There are business, financial and technical
applications. Most operate under one of the PSION programa.
Use any of these programs even If you're scared to death of ARCHIVE0 or
ABACUS*. Instructions teach what's really needed but otherwise they are
transparent. All are fully editable for special requirements.
Prices are from $9.95 for QLUTter, a resident boot utility, to $2850.00 for
a site license for CAM MASTER , a friendly CAD program for circular came
that generates the CNC code to a vertical mill controller. (Get the demo
firsts It's only $9.95 and really shows the power of the QL .
Expanded and Improved versions of TRUST_FUND 1.3, MAILBAQ 2.0 and
QLAND_LORD 1.3 are available for $4.95 with the original medium. There's
DBTutor, a flash-card program, and DBProgs with 5 useful Archive utilities.
We have The_Transf er_V3, for HP compatible laser printing of DTP files and
a range of other useful, hard-working software for the wL. .
Order TAX-l-QL/89 by November 22 to get a $19.95 early-bird discount.
PSION** PC-FOUR for MS-DOS computers is only $99.95.
(Ever see Easel output to an HP Plotter?)
We create much of our ' own software but we market software by other
programmers. Please call/write for details about our arrangements.
Send for our catalogue which explaina things in detail.
&i*1So ft, P.O. Box 8763, Boston MA 02114 (617) 8B9-0B30
: fc^
Tiro Stoddard, 85-48 66th Road, New York, NY
11374-5212, writes: Just received a letter from
Pete Fischer about SNUG. Seems that Paul Holmgren
is now President. Paul and Pete attempting to
pick up the pieces, along with myself as the QL
and CPM Librarian. I will supply QL and Aerco
PD-68 Public Domain software at the cost of medium
plus postage. Contact me directly until SNUG has
the Library organized.
There is a National Sinclair ECHO on Fido
Net. Access via The Serial Port BBS (313 286
0145). Lastly, after reading QL Perks & Quirks I
am writing a series of articles on QJUMPS Toolkit
II. You'll be suprised at what can be done- ready
in a few weeks. Tim...
Thanks Tim, will be looking forward to
QJUHPS. Update always willing to help SNUG. Need
continual short news releases about whats goin on.
-BJ_
PROMISE LAND ELECTRONICS
Dan Elliott, Owner
Servicing ^gB£SSBSBB&
electronic equipment
Route 1, Box 117
Cabool, MO 65689
(417) 469-4571
+ Highly Rtco*+\t*JeJ &y t//>Mr&~ fiT?
Is thcs O/C/MATE 20 ,
the (/LTJMATE
TS2068 printer?
USE MS AERCO PRINTER I/F? Yes, if \
an IBM parallel Plug 'n Print cartridge is used. \
OKI 2Q FEATURES? The OKI 20 can print in ;
NLS, draft, pica, elite, fine, double width, italics, sub/ <
superscript, & underline. Plain or theraai paper (tractor/ \
friction feed) or acetate transparencies can be used.
COLOR SCREENS HARD-COPY? Yes!!
"COLOR COPY' supports FULL COLOR** 575 SCREENS dumps I ;
»PMWT i COPY* features Hl-tiES MOPE coloring and copying.
CUSTOM CHARACTER SETS? Vis, downline
loadable character sets of custom characters and graphics
can be designed and transfered to an OKI .20. The utility
software 'OKI D.L.C.G.' allows for easy design of custom
char, sets and 'OKI D.L.P.G.' can transform a portion of a
SCREENS picture into a downline loadable character set.
OH I MATE SO EXPENSIVE? No, the OKI 20
I Plug 'n Print cart, are widely available for about *1B0.
Far a print sample, info, on 2068 software for the OKI 20,
and a list of OKI 20 dealers/prices, send_a_LSASE to:
John McMichael ___
1710 Palmer* Dr. iOKIMATE tO
Laramie, WY 82070 \^SUPPORT
5-a
LKDOS SOFT-WARE
JIIIHIIIIIWHUL
iLKDOSh
MAXCOM 300/1200 baud Terminal/BBS
This full ftature modem software lata you effectlvly link tha modam to tha disk, so you can upload or
download flits largar than lOOK.Thls lots you sand NMI savas and larga taxi flits as wall as Basic or Coda
flits, willed otlttr tnodam programs couldn't sand bacausa of mamory limitations. Also flits can ba sant with
or without b Information haadar (Sptc-ttrm compotlblt) .
It also has a 64 column display and Is tha only 2068 modam program that will run at full 1200 baud
without missing charactars. Othar faaturas of tha tarmlnal mod* ara IBM graphic characters, auto-dlalar.
macro ktys. 110K disk buffar for capturad taxt. auto rtptat kays.
Tha BOS Is tha most alaboratt avallablt for tha 2068 and allows tha remote usar full accass to tha disk
drives similar to a CPM BOS, Features of tha BBS ara - 300/1200 baud, oparallon with fast raponca avan at
1200 baud. Passwords, priority lavtls. Ust Hint limits. Multlpla Mtasaga Basas. Uploads and Oowuloada ara
not Ihnlltd by Mtmory. Dual Window Monitor screen. Intarupt drlvan Hint out and Hangup protactlon. Also
Kttps a Uatr log of collars Namas and Activity on disk so a printer lant naadad and Its aaslly customlsad and
axpandtd.
MAXCOM can bt ustd with tha 2050 tnodam or with tha Z-SIO RS232 Intarfaca and a 300/1200 baud
modam. (a vtrslon for tha Aarco flS232 Is In tha works).
PRICEi $24.95
LARKEN DISK EDITOR
This program lots you axamlna or changt any byta on a LKdos disk. It Is usaful In rapalrlng damagad or
glltchad disks, changing tha disk Nama or haad spaad ate. You can also axamlna tha track map and disk Info
haadars.
Tha documantatlon for tha disk adltor also Includas Information on how to accass LKdos from Machlna
Coda and Information on tha structura of tha disk catalog and data blocks.
PRICE. $15.00
SEQUENTIAL/RANOOM Accass FILES
This utility Is a ram rasldant axtanslon to tha LKdos oparatlng system and lots you craata. raad from, or
wrlta to vary larga data flits kapt on disk. It usas tha commands OPENS. CLOSEIl. PRINT". INPUTS, and
INKEYSH to accass tha fllas from BASIC. Thara Is also a high spaed search command for finding a text string
within the data file. Using tha TAB command, you can randomly accass directly any record In a file.
The utility Is easily used within your basic programs and has a lot of uses, from storing larga data fllas.
creating large spoil checker dlctlonarys or avan converting you basic programs to an ascll text file .
This utility lets you take the limits off of the data capacity of tha 2068 .Files on disk can be huge I
A simple data base program Is Included on the disk to demonstrate the utility.
PniCEi $ 15.00
Coming Soon from Larkan Electronics
The Larkan Oesk Top Publisher «» Produce high quality printing (like this 'page ) with an epaon compatible
printer and LKdos. Tha entire Hl-res graphic page Is kapt on tha disk and scrolling though tha page Is as easy
as clicking tha Joystick or mouse on the Icon type manu. Taxt and Graphic editing with multlpla sized fonts
will also ba featured.
a* Spell Checker for Tasword and M-Scrlpt ** This utility program will let you have your wordprocassor
taxt files be checked by a 350K dictionary.
All Prices »US - Specify type of drive when ordering.
LARKEN ELECTRONICS RR|(2 NAVAN. ONTARIO CANADA., K4B-1H9
(6131-835-2680 .
UPDATE MAGAZIKE
□ SPECTERM-64(TS-4„1)
300/1200 Terminal Software lor T/S2068
On -ifi- AFRCO. Latktn *•»< or tape.
Only S26.00 + S2.60 S«-H
ALSO
□ Z-SI/O Bare Boards
RS-232o Svrial Interlace lor T/S20$6
Milh EBFF ?QS0 card
Only S24.50 + S2.60 S8.H
OR BQIH FOR UtfiJC
*50.00 inc. S&H
LARKEN Disk Harduare;
[ j [MB Disk Syslea
hdude. LARKEN Floppy Dak hlerlace. LKDOS M
CartrKfce, Operate* Menud and LKDOS UWW DA
Only S120.00 4- S6.00 S&H
[ 1 LKDOS Cartridge for XO
Sp.ci.Hy eonliBur.d LKDOS W3) Cartridge that
work, with your XO SAFE Diek hardware, hokidee
Op*,.** tal and LKDOS U«W Dak.
Only S6B.OO + S3.60 S&H
[ ] LARKEN Rasdisk
to" 266K iollik "rWoMite'lLedak. E..y to km
.. • lloppy di.k with LKOOS.
Only S60.00 ♦ S3.60 S&H
[] Tandon TM101-4 Quad
Disk Drives
The.e di.k drivee arc brand now in Uotory
.ealed oartona. Thoy aro double aided,
doublo den.ily. 96 to! (quad*, lull height
drive. Thev are compatible with JLO,
LKDOS, AERCO and OL diek eyeteme.
$45.00 + *5.00 S&H
Buy 2. Q»t FREE Driver Cablot
Buy 3. Gal A\h for Hailf Prioat
Buy A, Get Q™» n«lc Qrjyjc »=QPE«
Cabla {2dr>..S12.60+S2.60 S&H
Haves CoBPatible HODEHS
[ ] AvaleK 240O <3/12/2400>....9H79
For CP/M, OM and oilier tyatenw.
[ 3 AvataK 1200ho (300/1200) S99
For T/S2068 (w/ Z-SI/O) and QL.
( ] Ava1«x t200<P» (3O0/t2O0) — $126
^P=>ock»t nze for tha Z88.
I J AvataK t200<E^ (30O/BD0) S86
Graat for SPECTEFS-r-641
Epson Coapatible PRINTERS
t ] SaiKoaha 1200AI <120/2B)..»199
| 3 Saiko.ha 180AI (100/20)..S169
t 3 Star NXIOOO (144/34)....»229
All modem, add $3.60 lor S&H. .« erbWre add
$10.00 lor S&H (Canada double S&H on al ileae).
(Bee
90306
Ed Grey Enterpri
P.O. Box *2186, Inglewood, CA t
hfo » 213-759-7406 « Order
faff Jk$ Qny Mkr IBS 4 MP/9 im-S7H260)_
We provide continuing:
support for the TS-2068
Users. Our specialties
are Telecom Modems,
Z-SI/O Interface,
Printers, and Disk
Drives for both the
TS-2068 and the QL.
Call for your special
needs. Use our BBS for
keeping updated about
Sinclair Computing-,
Shopping-, and Message
traffic. Ed Grey.
The Cambridge Z88 Portable Computer
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